The Foundation has been set up to support those who have been seriously injured in rugby league in New Zealand, as well as help rugby league players, and their families who have fallen on hard times.
Basically it is the league version of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation, with one main difference.
This is another area where in PR, League is light years ahead of Union.
The New Zealand Rugby League has committed to the Foundation, is hugely prominent around it, and is not afraid of any ‘turn off’ public will have about making the public more aware about injuries.
They do not see injuries as a "darkside," which will hugely impact on playing numbers in the sport. And Rightly so.
The New Zealand Rugby Union are starting to recognise this more, the Ben Leia dinner.
This is a good start, but the Union has to be proactive rather than reactive. It’s important for the players, spectators, and stakeholders of the game. They have the Foundation sitting in wait, it is time to put real impetus on looking after ‘rugby’s own.’
A ‘Rugby’s Own’ ITM Cup round could be the start. Designer Jerseys for the captains, signed by all the players, and auctioned off in support of injured rugby players – as well as donation boxes, media coverage on skysport, news, print etc.
That would be a good start.
From my point of view, injuries do happen. They happen in every sport. Any sport can have a life-changing injury.
Soccer, Surfing, Rugby, League, Cricket, Equestrian, Track & Field, Ice Hockey, no sport is exempt from life changing circumstances.
There is no reason then why a Union body cannot be behind a charity aimed at helping these players out.
It is important for a sport to have information readily available about care for injured players.
So here, I take my hat off to the NZRL, for taking the initiative and responsibility through creating awareness around the rehabilitation and work they do in their own sport.
Not a bad post Isaac
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