Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will kick-off the NRL’s Multicultural Round against the Parramatta Eels with a series of special festivities at 4 Pines Park on Thursday night.
Multicultural Round 2023 is an annual celebration of the diverse cultural backgrounds that make up the Rugby League community.
The round’s central message is 'Stronger Together' – recognising, respecting and celebrating diverse cultural heritage at all levels of the game.
In the NRL, players represent 63 different national heritages, with almost a third of players (29%) born outside Australia and half (51%) having at least one parent born overseas. Forty-five percent of players identify as Pasifika, while ten percent identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Each NRL game across the round will celebrate multiculturalism in ways that are unique to each home club and community, with players and fans having opportunities to show their colours and celebrate their cultures throughout the week and on game day.
“Our players, fans, staff and volunteers all reflect a diversity of cultures. Whether you’re on the field, in the stands, or in the community, you have a home in Rugby League, no matter your background or where you come from,'' said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.
“Multicultural Round gives everyone involved in the game an opportunity to celebrate their culture and learn about the cultures of others.”
During Multicultural Round, the NRL is encouraging every member of the NRL community to bring a flag or wear their cultural dress or colours to games.
Each NRL game across the round will celebrate multiculturalism in ways that are unique to each home club and community, with players and fans having opportunities to show their colours and celebrate their cultures throughout the week and on game day.
The Rd 3 Multicultural Round match kicks off at 8pm. Gates open 6.30pm
Check out our Game Day Guide for the Eels clash
Sea Eagles Multicultural Round festivities
Pre-Game Entertainment:
- A live 'Welcome to Country' read
- Soloist Prinnie Stevens will sing ''My Island Home'
Australian Born Polynesian RnB Soul Artist, Prinnie Stevens, is a singer, dancer and actress who appeared on Season 1 of tv show, The Voice, where she wowed Australian audiences with her high energy performances.
- Pre-Guard of Honour Performance
Samoan Group: The performance will be dedicated to the late Sea Eagles player Keith Titmuss (#623) and to all the Polynesian players of the NRL.
Lafo Titmuss, the mother of Keith Titmuss, and the sister of Manly NRL player Josh Schuster, will feature in the Samoan group, who will perform a song called the TA-TA-U, meaning "to mark", a longstanding traditional Samoan practice.
For Men, the PE'A, dense tattooing completely covers the lower body from the waist to the knee. The MA-LU is a matching tattoo for women and covers the legs from the upper thigh to behind the knee.
The artwork and designs go beyond being skin deep—there is history and deep meanings behind them. The tattoo and designs of the Samoa islands represents community, power, status, respect, and honour, and is a mark of pride that are only to be worn by Samoans.
NRL game
For the NRL match, Sea Eagles and Eels players are invited to wear special wrist tapes featuring colours of their nation/flag.
Post Game
The Sea Eagles and the Eels will join together with family members and club staff for a 'Harmony Walk' around the field of play.
Players from both teams will be invited to wear their nations flags/colours.
Supporters are encouraged to bring their colours, flags, and wear cultural dress. The best dressed groups will be celebrated on the big screen.
