NRL’s In League in Harmony: Youth Driving Positive Peace Through Sport

Scattered around the relaxing fields of Appin Park on Sydney’s urban fringes, six high schools from NSW have come together to complete their spring course in the National Rugby League’s (NRL) In League in Harmony program (ILIH).  

The NRL and Multicultural NSW have joined forces to uphold IEP’s core tenets of Positive Peace training through youth workshops dedicated to transcending sport and spirit. Organised by ILIH Program Lead, Jake Brightwell, the peace advocate workshops have helped young league players develop their skills and knowledge of peace both on and off the field, culminating in this Gala Day, where students can share their respective Peace Project ideas and finally play in league matches with one another.  

The In League in Harmony program is a youth peace advocate training that spans over six weeks, focusing on what Positive Peace looks like, building social cohesion and celebrating diversity and inclusion. Participating students develop a respect for the diverse cultures and values represented in NSW, advance their communication skills within cultural dialogues and share a passion for both harmony and the NRL. Jake has been working with NRL students for years, directing their passion for sport and learning into the sphere of Positive Peace and building the next generation of leaders. Throughout the four stages of the ILIH program, students undergo some of the IEP’s training activities, including the privilege and harmony walks. This comprehensive training under Jake’s enthusiastic guidance builds the students’ sense of camaraderie and cultural awareness in the NSW community.  

With the support from Multicultural NSW, one high school will receive $1,000 to pursue their Peace Project, showcasing what the students have learned and further promoting social cohesion in their respective communities. This term’s high schools include Bonnyrigg High School, Cumberland High School, Mt Annan High School, Bowral High School, Bass High School, Albion Park High School and the previous term’s Peace Project grant winners, Casula High School.  

Peace Projects are a highlight of student creativity and leadership that extend the ideas of peace beyond initial advocacy training. Students create ideas to showcase their community’s cultural diversity and contribute towards Positive Peace through social events, networking opportunities and celebrations of the arts. Multicultural NSW has graciously provided the winning project idea with a $1,000 grant with the intention of making peace more widely accessible. Representing Moving Forward Together, at the Gala Day is Ernie Friedlander, a survivor of the Holocaust, whose life is a timeless example of small actions serving a major step towards lasting peace. Jake Brightwell introduces Ernie to the students, explaining that the decision of one individual led to Ernie and his mother’s escape from Europe and arrival in Australia, where he has dedicated much of his life to fostering peace and harmony.  

As youth leaders in peace advocacy and the winners of the previous term’s project grant, Casula High School participates in this spring’s ILIH Gala Day. While they grilled sausages for other students between matches, the Casula students detailed their Peace Project and goals with the funding. Their idea for a social media campaign would include photos and videos of interviews with other students at their school’s sporting events. Making space for open conversation on culture and harmony, this idea seamlessly bridges sport and peace through interpersonal connections within Casula’s community. These students want to emphasise the importance of indigenous cultures and activities, amplifying their voices through the social media account.  

While the winner of this term’s grants has not been announced, the participating schools shared some of their ideas for their peace projects. Students from Cumberland hope to organise a cultural “market day,” giving students passports to travel between stands that represent various countries and cultures with food, arts and activities. Mt Annan students also wish to organise a multicultural day, highlighting sports and activities from different cultures represented at their school. Some schools were working on inclusive sports jerseys with indigenous artwork, while others were still in the process of compiling ideas together.

The students expressed a strong interest and overall satisfaction with the IEP’s peace program. Students from Casula High School said the course helped them connect more deeply with people from their own school and cultural backgrounds. With the IEP’s emphasis on teamwork, Mt Annan students thought the lessons were very practical. Bonnyrigg High School participants found each stage to be a fun and easy way to connect with their peers. 

As they enjoyed the sunshine, playing the very game that has brought them all together in the name of peace within the NRL, all students felt the connection between their sport and peacebuilding.