The NRL will participate in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for the sixth time at the SCG on Saturday night to celebrate inclusiveness and the LGBTIQA+ community.
It remains the first and only national sporting organisation to have its own float in the parade, with NRLW players Holli Wheeler and Shontelle Stowers to represent the game in this year s event.
Dragons, NSW and Australia lock Wheeler told NRL.com she was excited about her first Mardi Gras experience alongside Stowers, who joined the Warriors from the Roosters last season. Being in a same-sex relationship myself, that drew me to wanting to be a part of Mardi Gras itself, Wheeler told NRL.com.
Jillaroos coach Brad Donald will have a 40-player World Cup train-on squad prepared for anything in 2021 following the disruption that came last year.
Preparations for the defending champions will begin in Kingscliff on Friday afternoon. A bumper women s schedule is expected to be released by the NRL in the coming weeks.
The three-day training camp will be the first get-together for the group ahead of the bid to retain their World Cup trophy in the United Kingdom.
The easing of state border restrictions between Queensland and NSW last month was welcome news for Donald, with all players now able to attend the camp.