Bulldogs Celebrate the Launch of Multicultural Round

Belmore Sports Ground has today played host to the National Rugby League (NRL) as they launch Multicultural Round 2023, an annual celebration of the diverse cultural backgrounds that make up the Rugby League community.

Over 300 students, NRL and media officials, Bulldogs and Wests Tigers representatives, as well as rugby league greats such as Terry Lamb, Andrew Ryan, Willie Mason, Hazem El Masri and James Graham gathered to celebrate the launch at Belmore Sports Ground.

The event as hosted by Sonny Bill Williams and Tiana Penitani, marks the return of the NRL's first themed round of the 2023 Telstra Premiership season and with a match set to be hosted on Belmore's home turf this weekend, it will mark 30 years since the Canterbury club last hosted a Multicultural Round.

The round’s central message is “Stronger Together” – recognising, respecting and celebrating diverse cultural heritage at all levels of the game.

In the NRL, players represent 63 different national heritages, with almost a third of players (29%) born outside Australia and half (51%) having at least one parent born overseas. Forty-five percent of players identify as Pasifika, while ten percent identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

The NRLW playing group features a quarter of players (25%) born outside of Australia and 60% with at least one parent born overseas, and a total of 32 different national heritages represented. It’s a similar picture at grassroots, where a third of players and volunteers (33%) have a parent born overseas.

An important message of the day was focused on diversity, inclusion and tolerance.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said: “Our players, fans, staff and volunteers all reflect a diversity of cultures. Whether you’re on the field, in the stands, or in the community, you have a home in Rugby League, no matter your background or where you come from.

 “Multicultural Round gives everyone involved in the game an opportunity to celebrate their culture and learn about the cultures of others.”

During Multicultural Round, the NRL is encouraging every member of the NRL community to bring a flag or wear their cultural dress or colours to games.

With the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs set to take on neighbouring rivals Wests Tigers this weekend (Sunday 19 March), the Club is preparing for a multicultural extravaganza day with number of cultural performances including Vietnamese Dragon Dancers, Cook Islands Dancers, Lebanese Drummers, a Māori Haka, Greek Bouzouki performance and a special Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.

General admission tickets are still available for Sunday's match at Belmore Sports Ground (Available Here), although Bulldogs Membership is the best way to secure grandstand tickets, subject to availability.

This multicultural extravaganza will be sure to sell out. Match details are below with gates open from 1:25pm and a NSW Cup game (Bulldogs v Magpies) as a curtain raiser for the afternoon (kick-off 1:40pm).