Parliamentary Friends of Rugby League Touch Football Game

PFORL is a group that provides a non-partisan forum for parliamentarians to meet and interact with the NRL on matters relating to the promotion of rugby league and junior rugby league.

The PFORL Chairs are Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren MP and Shadow Minister for Gaming and Racing the Hon. Kevin Anderson MP. The NRL arranges the touch football event annually with the PFORL Chairs.

Former Wests Tiger, NSW Blue and Australian and Lebanon International Robbie Farrah and Jillaroo, NSW Blue and Cronulla-Sutherland Shark Maddie Studdon took to the field alongside Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman, Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmish Singh, Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorpe, Member for Coogee Dr Marjorie O’Neill, Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson and Member of the NSW Legislative Council the Hon. Scott Farlow.

Both teams battled it out in tough conditions, but when the buzzer sounded at full time, the city team took home the win, with Dr O'Neill and Member for Orange Phil Donato scoring the ‘player of the match’ awards.

ClubsNSW Chair Dr George Peponis OAM, Deputy Chairperson Sallianne Faulkner, CEO Rebecca Riant, Executive Manager of Media & Marketing Darren Flynn, and Executive Manager of Policy & Government Simon Sawday were also in attendance, with Rebecca telling attendees that while there is plenty that divides us, such as political affiliations, sport — and in this instance the sport of rugby league — unites us.

“Rugby league has no bigger supporter than the NSW club industry,” she said.

Each year, the club industry contributes in excess of $40 million to grassroots rugby league, helping to get boys and girls participating in the sport — whether it be tackle, league tag or touch football — and contributing several million more to elite level rugby league.

NRL Executive General Manager of Partnerships Jaymes Boland-Rudder said the NRL is proud to have ClubsNSW partner with them for the annual NSW Parliamentary Friends of Rugby League touch football game.

“It is a fun, yet competitive event, that engages MPs from around the state and we’re delighted that ClubsNSW could be part of the excitement!

“Rugby league has a great synergy with clubs. They all play such an integral role in our communities, bringing people together from all different walks of life. ClubsNSW and their 1200 member clubs are wonderful supporters of rugby league, and we thank them for their ongoing commitment and friendship.”