NRL and NRLW players have praised the fourth edition of the Rugby League Players Association’s Leaders In League conference, held last week.
The event provides a platform for players to learn from influential figures, share experiences, and develop leadership skills in a unique environment.
Held at the Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach, 2025 Leaders In League was highlighted by a keynote from inspirational Paralympian Matt Formston, who is legally blind. The renowned Leading Teams then facilitated a leadership and relationship session before Greg Van Borssum rounded out the day’s sessions.
The RLPA also incorporated breakout sessions where players were able to give feedback to critical areas of the players’ associations’ and wellbeing strategies. The theme of the 2025 Leaders In League conference was Tough Conversations, explored through speeches, Q&As, and strategy sessions.
During an exclusive player dinner, the RLPA’s Keegan Hipgrave hosted an incredibly special Q&A with history-making Olympian Kaylee McKeown.
A total of 60 players from Australia and New Zealand attended the conference from clubs in both the NRL and NRLW competitions.
“The RLPA have done an amazing job [with Leaders In League],” said Elsie Albert, the Parramatta Eels NRLW player and RLPA Delegate. “It’s really helped me leadership-wise, going back to my club.
“I think the RLPA are doing a really good job in initiating these types of conferences … To get all the players [NRL and NRLW] in the one room and getting to know each other and talk to each other on a deeper level, I think the RLPA are doing a great job.”
RLPA Delegate and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo also praised the RLPA’s development of the conference over several years.
“I think that’s important and to be able show what we can do and what the RLPA has managed to do so far. It’s inspiring to see,” said Mulitalo. “These meetings are important… us all on the same page, all pushing for the same thing.
“Waydo [Wade Graham], Chaddy [Chad Townsend], Teddy [James Tedesco] and also DCE [Daly Cherry-Evans] – those guys have paved the way for us, Clint as well and all the staff at the RLPA. It’s good to be here and acknowledge, first of all, the work they’ve done and then see where we can get better.”
St George Illawarra Dragons centre and RLPA Delegate Keele Browne spoke about the uplifting and motivating keynote speech by Matt Formston.
“I was really impressed with Matt’s talk,” said Browne. “He has a lot of experience in high performance environments across multiple different environments… I took a lot away from that one.
“The way that he talked about pressure in those high-performance moments was pretty cool. He put a lens on it or a new way of looking at the high-pressure situations and the way he deals with them.”
With players from both the NRL and NRLW attending, the 2025 Leaders In League conference provided a platform for open discussions, personal development, and leadership growth. The RLPA continues to refine the event each year, ensuring players are empowered both on and off the field.
