National Rugby League’s Announcement on Australia Day Sparks Sadness
Several of Australia’s most prominent organisations have recently stated their position on the national holiday. The National Rugby League (NRL) has decided not to celebrate Australia Day, prompting controversy among fans who feel that the NRL should remain apolitical. This follows a similar decision by Cricket Australia and Football Australia, both of which have refused to use “Australia Day” for marketing purposes. Tennis Australia has also taken a similar stance. On Friday morning, the NRL released a statement acknowledging the painful and sorrowful significance of the day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This move has drawn criticism from fans, some of whom believe that the NRL should refrain from engaging in politics and remain focused on the game. Some have argued that the NRL’s decision does not align with the views of the majority of fans.
Other sports organizations, such as the AFL and the Australia men and women’s national field hockey team, have also expressed their position on the issue. The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos, Australia’s national field hockey teams, issued a joint statement saying that they do not see January 26 as a day of celebration and support a change of date. The Woolworths supermarket chain was also forced to backtrack on its decision not to stock relevant merchandise for Australia Day after facing pressure. This report includes contributions from AAP.
