Cronulla Sharks prop Toby Rudolf has urged the NRL to introduce an official pride round after seeing first-hand how important inclusivity and acceptance can be for young people in the LGBTQIA+ community.
When the Manly pride jersey saga — which saw seven players boycott the jersey and wreaked havoc on the team’s season — made headlines, Toby Rudolf very quickly became one of the loudest voices in the conversation.
At the time, Rudolf spoke out about his own sexuality and declared that “love is love, and I love to share it with everyone”.
“What I will say is I was raised by quite a few gay and lesbian community members. My uncle is gay and my godmother is gay, and there’s so much love in that community,” Toby Rudolf told the SMH at the time.
“Sexuality is very fluid. I’ve been out and kissed many gay men, kissed many straight women and kissed many gay women.
“I’m not a one-stop shop. Love is love, and I love to share it with everyone.
Toby Rudolf says his comments saved someone’s life
Ahead of the 2023 NRL season, Rudolf has reflected on the impact his comments had, and stressed the importance of having a pride round.
I do remember there was one kid that was saying that his family had just completely shunned him,” Toby Rudolf told Fox Sports of one of many messages he received after his comments went viral.
“It was my comments that sort of kept him from taking his own life, honestly, that was one of the messages he sent.”
In addition to reflecting on the impact his own personal comments have had, Rudolf noted that the message of inclusivity would be more powerful if it came from the NRL as a collective unit in the form of a pride round.
“Of course (a pride round should be introduced),” he responded when asked his thoughts on a pride round after the Manly debacle.
“Obviously last year there was just a breakdown in communication between Manly and whatever happened there, not that I know the ins and outs of it.
“I can’t see how it wouldn’t be a good thing, putting that out there to the community, rugby league obviously, with the likes of Ian Roberts, the first gay open athlete in Australia I am pretty sure.
“I think it will do wonders for the game, wonders for the community.”
A pride round is being considered for the 2023 NRL season
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has confirmed that the league will discuss the possibility of a pride round in the 2023 NRL season, but a decision is yet to be publicly announced.
The ARLC were set to discuss a pride round in a meeting in November last year, however, it is unclear what the result of this meeting was.
The news comes after another sporting team — the Cairns Taipans — announced they would “opt out” of an NBL pride round after having its own internal issues.
Other sporting teams and codes have adopted inclusive rounds and jerseys, including the Sydney Swans — who launched their inaugural pride guernsey in 2022, and the AFLW — which features an annual pride round.
The NRL season kicks off on March 10, 2022.
There is help available. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online. You can also reach the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or chat online. For LGBTQIA+ specific help, contact QLife on 1800 184 527.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
