NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has announced the opening week of the 2020 season will be a dedicated Bushfire Appeal Round to raise money for those affected.
It comes as fellow sporting bodies AFL and Cricket Australia begin considerations to host special matches to aid the bushfire appeal, while Aussie NBA stars band together to donate $1 million to aid.
The NRL’s plan will form part of a whole-of-game approach.
Internal teams across the QRL, NSWRL and the RLPA have been formed to develop a plan to have the biggest possible impact.
Details are still being finalised but Greenberg has confirmed the dedicated opening round is just one element of a coordinated response from the major rugby league arms.
The NRL is also putting plans in place to honour and emergency services personnel and volunteers during the round.
“Our clubs and our players have so many links to these communities which have been impacted by these devastating bushfires,” Greenberg said on Wednesday.
“Everyone I have spoken to wants to make a difference, we all want to help.
“The most effective and efficient way to do that is together in one coordinated response – a response that is both meaningful and provides communities with the assistance they need as they repair and rebuild.
“We know that rugby league is an integral part of these communities and we can make a real difference when our various bodies work together as one and that’s exactly what we are doing – from country rugby league right up to our elite NRL clubs.”
The opening round of the season kicks off on March 12 between Parramatta and Canterbury at Bankwest Stadium, with matches being played in Canberra, Newcastle, Townsville and Wollongong, as well as in Sydney.
Already clubs have begun making individual donations to the cause.
On Tuesday, the Bulldogs donated $50,000 while Penrith are hosting a fundraiser for the Rural Fire Service at Panthers Stadium on Saturday with an open training session and barbecue breakfast.
Albo
Roar Rookie
If we don't get some decent rain soon, the first round of the NRL might be called off in Sydney & Canberra due to the ongoing smoke conditions !
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
I’m fine with it being in March. There is no correct timing.
Big Daddy
Guest
Same as CA. Let's have a twenty twenty celebrity match when the final of BBL is on . The public pay the entry fee plus bucket donations. So really public is putting in. By all means have your celebrity matches. NRL, AFL, CA and FFA could all do themselves a favour and put 1 million in right now. All these celebrities around the world are putting in right now.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
The Storm today announced far ranging initiatives that, I think, are well planned & sensible. The proposed eight week wait for formal NRL help, to commence, is woeful.
3 bags empty
Guest
Don’t stress about the committee put together to distribute the donations, I’m sure they’ll all be ex politicians and public servants of good character ,who will count the money out in the traditional style of , one for them two for us.
Big Daddy
Guest
Paul, your right. I think 8 weeks is a bit far away. They need to kick in at least $1 million straight away. These people need it now. The only thing that concerns me is the committee's who are put together to distribute these funds tend to drag it out. Who gets what first. Good to see Canterbury and Penrith get involved straight away.
Paul
Roar Guru
My first thought was, that's an age away, can' t the NRL do something sooner, but it's only 8 weeks and as the experts have warned, there's still a lot of dangerous times ahead. I look forward to seeing what the NRL comes up with. I'm sure what ever events they put on will be very well supported.