WE ARE CALLING FOR THE NRL TO MAKE A STANCE - MENTAL HEALTH ROUND 2026 - SIGN THE PETITION
- Mandy Bateup
- May 6
- 2 min read
Today, Rugby League Daily is proud to officially launch our campaign calling on the NRL to introduce a Mental Health Round into its yearly calendar. Mental health affects us all, and tragically, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young Australians aged 15 to 24.
Across the Tasman, the reality is just as heartbreaking: in 2020, New Zealand recorded one of the highest adolescent suicide rates in the developed world. A large number of these lives lost were young men—who make up a significant portion of our Rugby League community.
We must ensure our young people know they are not alone. That it isn’t weak to speak. Sometimes, it’s the funniest person in the changing sheds. The loudest voice on the field. The teammate you always look forward to seeing after the game. The one who lifts others up—while quietly carrying their own battles. And too often, we don’t realize it until it’s too late.
Rugby League has felt this pain firsthand: Chad Robinson, Mosese Fotuaika, and more recently, Paul Green—names that remind us of how important this conversation is. Among all the themed rounds in our game—Indigenous Round, Women in League Round, Anzac Round—surely there is space for one that tackles something affecting every player, coach, referee, and fan: mental health.
Because when young people see their heroes speaking up, it might just give them the strength to do the same. It’s time for the game we love to lead from the front—on the field, and off it. A dedicated Mental Health Round can be more than a symbol.
It can be a turning point. Let’s stand together, break the silence, and show that in Rugby League, no one has to tackle their struggles alone. Please sign the petition below
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