QRL recognises National Sorry Day

The Queensland Rugby League remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities on this National Sorry Day.

May 26 is a day for all Australians to reflect on the past, understand the lasting impact of our history, recognise the strength of Stolen Generation survivors, and work together to share in the healing process and to create a better future for our First Nations people.

QRL state strategy manager Scott Nosworthy said the damage of the past remains to this day and, as an organisation and a game, QRL played their part in not only acknowledging that history, but in doing what they could to contribute to a stronger future.

“National Sorry Day is about acknowledging the past and that the Stolen Generation did happen,” Nosworthy said.

“Only by acknowledging that and the errors that happened in the past can we move towards real reconciliation.

“We know people are still suffering from the affects of the Stolen Generation. It’s not something that will just go away. It’s had a massive affect on people and will for a very long time.

“With that in mind, the QRL as an organisation and game will do what we can to help us to achieve reconciliation.”

Nosworthy said QRL just this week forwarded off our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan draft to Reconciliation Australia and were continually working with First Nations people, clubs and leagues to acknowledge and partake in significant events that related back to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

National Sorry Day also precedes National Reconciliation Week and Nosworthy said after taking today to reflect on the past, the week ahead would be about celebrating our First Nations people.

“It’s not just about acknowledging and understanding where we are now, but where we’re going to be in the future for our First Nations people and working towards a better future for them,” Nosworthy said.

“It is National Reconciliation Week this week and we would like clubs and leagues and everyone involved in rugby league to reach out this week if there is a Reconciliation Week event and for people to attend it.

“I know there’s good things happening across Queensland this weekend and clubs are doing significant cultural days where they’re sharing the traditions and foods and art across the state.

“That’s an important thing that clubs are doing that on their own. They’re taking the lead with Reconciliation events.”

The theme of this year’s National Reconciliation Week is to “Be brave and make change”.