The NRL has been omitted from this year’s Mardi Gras parade in Sydney after being involved seven of the past eight years.
It comes just months after seven Many Sea Eagles boycotted a game against the Sydney Roosters because the club had committed to wearing rainbow-coloured pride jumpers.
The NRL was told of the rejection on September 12 last year, just weeks after the ugly saga.
But organisers played down suggestions the snub was a direct result of the Manly players’ controversial decision.
“Because of this milestone year, we received a phenomenal number of parade applications, far exceeding our total capacity,” a Mardi Gras spokesperson said in a statement.
“To ensure the safety and security of all our participants and spectators, we must adhere to strict limits on numbers of both people and vehicles involved in the event.
“While we wish we could open our arms to all applications, demand for this year was so high that we only had capacity to accept 70 per cent of the total applications we received.
“When the number of applications exceeds our capacity, Mardi Gras’ Parade Curatorial Committee, made up of diverse representatives from our LGBTQIA+ communities, assess all entries using a clear set of selection criteria.
“Priority for parade selection always goes to LGBTQIA+ groups. The selection criteria also evaluates strong creative concepts with the ability to produce and deliver them, as well as a consideration of their previous parade history.
“In total there will be a record 207 groups represented in the 2023 Mardi Gras parade, sharing a stunning array of creative concepts from all walks of LGBTQIA+ life.”
In a statement provided to Nine publications, the NRL said its commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community is unchanged.
“The NRL’s involvement in the Mardi Gras does not change its commitment to creating an inclusive sport and specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community,” it said.
“We continue to work alongside our partners, including Pride In Sport, to assess ourselves against best practice and build an inclusive environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders in our sport.
“The NRL received Bronze Award at the 2022 Pride in Sport Awards, recognising our support of the community.”
