30 June 2025
2024 was a landmark year for NZRL and rugby league in Aotearoa, marked by growth in participation and a return to profit.
On Saturday 28 June, the New Zealand Rugby League AGM took place at NZRL Headquarters, a chance to highlight the continued efforts of the last year that have culminated in growth across the board.
Key highlights over the 2024-25 year include:
Grassroots growth is continuing to be driven by increased rangatahi, youth, and female participation, with a 41% increase in rangatahi players and a 34% increase in female players. This contributed to over 34,000 registered players in 2024, a 24% increase from 2023.
NZRL tournaments continue to be highlights on the rugby league calendar. The National Secondary Schools Tournament in particular once again saw an increase in participating teams, the tournament seeing a 122% increase since post-COVID, from 22 teams to 49. With team entrants up at the National Youth Tournament also, and rising interest again this coming year, it’s exciting to see so many rangatahi given more opportunities to take the field and represent their Districts and Zones.
With our kaupapa, “More than a game” at the heart of what we do, we are continuing to invest in wellbeing and community programmes that help transform lives and wellbeing through Rugby League. Our Find Your Front programme particularly has pivoted from being a deliverable programme to an overarching framework that drives a number of initiatives. As well, we have continued to partner with a number of providers of wellness, education and support that has meant we reached thousands across Aotearoa, from grassroots to high performance, and in the community.
In 2024, we also signed a key Memorandum of Understanding with Pasifika Medical Association Group that will enable our community to access free and prompt access to medical care in Auckland and Canterbury.
Justin Leydesdorff, NZRL Chairman, said, “The year 2024 stands out as one of the most successful in recent times for rugby league in Aotearoa, marked by continued growth in popularity, a further strengthened public narrative, and exceptionally increased participation across all levels. On the back of this momentum, NZRL is well-positioned to sustain progress and further advance the game. We look forward to the year ahead and the continued opportunity to serve and support the sport and its wider community.”
Of course, none of this success would be possible without the hard mahi of those involved in the game, especially the countless volunteers. We thank everyone for their passion, dedication and service to the game, and look forward to another great year ahead.
Read the full 2024-25 Annual Report
