NRL rules out running a Pride Round during the 2023 season following the Manly Sea Eagles fiasco

The NRL has decided not to introduce a Pride round for the 2023 season after announcing the same themed rounds as the previous campaign.

Speculation about the first-ever Pride round was rife last November, when ARL commission chief Peter V’landys remained silent on the issue at the 2023 draw.

However, the ABC reports that the NRL has stuck to the same themed rounds as 2022, with the topic of a Pride round remaining difficult for the league.

Last year, seven Manly players boycotted the club’s rainbow jersey, which was designed for the women’s round of the league.

Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn called on the NRL to introduce a league-wide round of pride as part of the saga amid reports that other NRL clubs could introduce a rainbow jersey this year.

The NRL will not host a Pride Round in the 2023 season, ABC has reported

ARL Commission chief Peter V’landys says the same rounds of issues will apply this year

The NRL has reportedly since considered hosting a respect round that would advocate accepting everyone’s views.

“We deal with the topic rounds in the course of the season. We don’t expect any changes,” said V’landys.

“Our focus now is on the multicultural round and you will see how the other rounds develop as we move through the season.”

The themed sessions for the 2023 season are: Multicultural, Indigenous, Women, Anzac and Brain Cancer.