The Sydney Roosters proudly welcomed representatives from across Australia and New Zealand to Allianz Stadium on Sunday, as the Club celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its unique and much-loved League of Roosters program.
Led by Chairman Nick Politis AM, the Club hosted 57 representatives from 24 League of Roosters clubs, including volunteers who had travelled from as far away as Karratha and Fremantle in Western Australia and Te Atatū in Auckland, New Zealand, to be part of the special occasion.
The club volunteers were treated to an exclusive Sydney Roosters experience, including a tour of the Club's Centre of Excellence and museum, access to the Chairman's Lounge, participation in a Guard of Honour for the NRL team, and a memorable lap of honour at half-time in front of the Allianz Stadium crowd.
The gathering marked a significant milestone for a program that has quietly become one of the most distinctive grassroots rugby league initiatives in the game.
Established by Chairman Nick Politis AM in 2016, the League of Roosters was created to unite rugby league clubs that proudly carry the Roosters name. What began as a simple idea has grown into a network of 32 affiliated clubs across Australia and overseas, all connected by a shared passion for rugby league and a common identity.
The Sydney Roosters believe that whether you play in Bondi, Bega, Perth, LA or a small regional town, if you wear the Roosters jersey, you are part of the Roosters family.
Addressing attendees, Chairman Nick Politis AM thanked the clubs for their commitment to grassroots rugby league and the important role they play within their communities.
"It is my pleasure to welcome representatives of our League of Roosters clubs to our home at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park.
The Sydney Roosters are proud to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution of our League of Roosters clubs, volunteers, coaches, administrators, players and supporters from across Australia and internationally.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to grassroots rugby league and for the important role you play in strengthening the connection between your local communities and the Sydney Roosters.
We hope you enjoy your visit and a memorable match-day experience. We are incredibly grateful for the way you represent the Roosters spirit in your communities. Together, we share a passion for growing our great game and a commitment to ensuring the values of respect, excellence and community are reflected in our clubs every day.
We are proud to stand alongside our League of Roosters clubs as one connected family, united by a shared love of rugby league and the Roosters. Thank you for your support."
For the Sydney Roosters, the day was about more than celebrating a mascot or a shared name. It was an opportunity to recognise the thousands of volunteers, coaches, administrators, players and supporters who dedicate countless hours to community rugby league each week.
Many League of Roosters clubs are located in regional and remote communities where rugby league remains the social fabric that connects people, builds resilience and strengthens local identity. From volunteers marking fields before sunrise to coaches mentoring the next generation of players, these clubs play a vital role in supporting their communities.
Efu Koka, President of Altona Roosters, the largest community rugby league club in Victoria with over 600 registered players, said “The League of Roosters initiative provides grassroots clubs with genuine support from an NRL club that understands grassroots rugby league”.
Sydney Roosters Ambassador Anthony Minichiello and NRLW star Brydie Parker were both on hand to welcome club representatives and celebrate the milestone event.
Minichiello, who has long been a passionate advocate for grassroots rugby league, spent time meeting with League of Roosters representatives and thanking volunteers for their contribution to the game.
Parker also understands firsthand the important role rugby league plays in regional communities. Originally from Muswellbrook, she relocated to the Sydney Roosters in 2018 and has experienced the positive impact community rugby league can have on young people, families and local communities.
"The connection people have to their local rugby league club is incredibly special," Parker said.
"Growing up in the country, your club becomes a second family. It's where lifelong friendships are formed and where communities come together. It's wonderful to see the Roosters recognising and celebrating the people who give so much to our game."
Together, Minichiello and Parker represented the strong connection between the Club's proud history and its future, reinforcing the importance of supporting the volunteers, coaches, players and administrators who continue to be the heartbeat of our game at a grassroots level.
Over the past decade, the League of Roosters program has evolved into a structured engagement initiative designed to strengthen relationships between the Sydney Roosters and affiliated clubs through five key pillars:
- Game Day and Themed Round Engagement
- Fundraising Support
- Membership Benefits
- Access to Club Expertise and Resources
- Branding and Uniform Support
Through these initiatives, affiliated clubs receive opportunities to connect with the Sydney Roosters, access expertise from across the organisation, participate in unique match-day experiences and strengthen their own local rugby league programs.
As the League of Roosters enters its second decade, the Club remains committed to growing the program, supporting grassroots rugby league and ensuring that every affiliated club feels connected to the broader Roosters family.
From Allianz Stadium in Moore Park to regional Australia, New Zealand, Los Angeles and beyond, the message remains simple:
Once a Rooster, always a Rooster.
