Telstra is dedicating the inaugural Telstra Footy Country Round to celebrating and inspiring the next generation of Rugby League players, with NRL stars to hero local junior clubs this week.
During Round 25 of the Telstra Premiership and Round 8 of the Telstra Women’s Premiership (August 21–24), players from all NRL and NRLW clubs will wear the socks of junior teams across select games and training sessions in a tribute to the local clubs and communities that shaped them, with the hope of inspiring more youngsters to pick up a football.
Telstra Footy Country Round will be celebrated across the two competitions with the symbolic socks featured on the turf at each venue, along with the message ‘Supporting Footy Together’.
Junior players from local clubs will also be featured on-field during the half-time festivities.
Telstra Group Executive, Amanda Hutton, said in its 24th year as proud naming-rights partner of the NRL and NRLW Premierships, Telstra continues to support the NRL in putting community footy in the spotlight.
“At Telstra, we believe you can’t be what you can’t see, and by kids seeing their footy heroes and remembering they too were once junior rugby league players, it can inspire their own sense of hope and optimism to achieve their dreams.
“When kids play sport, it’s not just their skills that grow, it’s their confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging. By dedicating our Round to junior footy, we hope to help young people grow on and off the field.”
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said Telstra Footy Country Round was an important initiative to reinforce the connection between the elite and community levels of the game.
“All of our elite NRL and NRLW players started their journeys with junior rugby league clubs and by wearing the colours of local clubs during Telstra Footy Country Round, our clubs will highlight the role that local clubs continue to play in supporting young people in their communities.
“Thank you to Telstra for the generous support they continue to provide to community Rugby League clubs across the country.”
As part of Telstra Footy Country Round, 50 junior rugby league clubs nationally will receive a Telstra Footy Pack, filled with essential equipment including tackle pads, cones, balls and more, helping clubs across the country stay game-ready and giving young players the tools they need to thrive.
This is in addition to a further 50 clubs and 10,000 kids that Telstra has supported since it launched its ‘Footy Country’ initiative in 2023, when it delivered NRL coaching clinics, the Provan-Summons Trophy and some of the game’s biggest stars to regional Australian areas for the first time.
