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ustralian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chair, Peter V’Landys, has confirmed Amy Shark has been selected to perform at the 2020 NRL Grand Final on October 25 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Shark has recently been nominated for three ARIA awards, including best female artist, best pop release and best Australian live act, as she prepares to release a new album.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Shark had to audition for the NRL grand final gig by performing in front of V’landys last month before she was given the tick of approval.
NRL chief executive officer, Andrew Abdo, said the NRL were excited to showcase Australian talent on its biggest day of the year.
“We are always looking for opportunities to celebrate Australian talent,” Abdo said.
“Amy Shark is an Australian artist with a global appeal, whose live performance will provide the perfect build-up to the biggest and most exciting game of the season,” he said.
Shark said she was excited to perform at such a prestigious event.
“I think every artist at the moment is itching to play any gig, so the fact that I get to play one of the biggest days in NRL of the year, is just huge,” Shark said.
“I’m really honoured to have been chosen to do it, so I just can’t wait.
“I’m just going to concentrate on putting on a great show, but also just having the time of my life while I’m out there as well.
“And being a female pop artist, it’s just so cool that the NRL have asked me to do it.
“I can’t wait to celebrate the finalists on the field and bring some live music to homes across Australia,” she said.
Grand Final Day will also feature the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership decider, plus a tribute to the retiring players of 2020, a special tribute to Arthur Summons, and the presentations of the Ken Stephen and Veronica White Medals for the players who have made the biggest off-field contribution to local communities this year.
The announcement comes as the NRL revealed the winners of the Kayo NRL Community Awards 2020, with the Lithgow Bears Rugby League Football Club being named Grassroots Club of the Year and Joseph Chidiac was named Volunteer of the Year.
The Kayo NRL Community Awards 2020 recognised the Lithgow Bears, due to their efforts in their region during the summer bushfire crisis, donating their dressing rooms for the use of showers for those who lost homes.
Their grounds became makeshift refuge areas for residents, pets and wildlife as fires destroyed the region.
Bears participants also helped fight fires and rebuild the community after the bushfires were extinguished.
Volunteer of the Year winner, Chidiac, is a board member of Wheelchair Rugby League, has devoted 25 years to the game, in particular creating and growing Wheelchair Rugby League competitions.
He was a driving force in establishing Wheelchair Rugby League competitions initially in NSW followed by Queensland and now the Northern Territory.
Chidiac has also taken an active role developing Wheelchair Rugby League State of Origin, the Wheelchair Rugby League International Test Series and Australia’s involvement in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
Abdo said the Kayo Community Awards 2020 highlighted the very best in rugby league.
“We read about our heroes on the field in the Telstra Premiership, but these awards acknowledge our unsung heroes – the people and clubs that make a difference not only to rugby league but to our communities in general,’’ Abdo said.
“Rugby League is part of the social fabric of so many communities because of the work our volunteers do.
“Right across Australia our grassroots rugby league club volunteers are sacrificing their own time to help others.
“The Kayo Community Awards is recognition of their contribution to the rugby league community.
“The bushfires devastated so many regional communities and in Lithgow’s hour of need it was the Lithgow Bears who were there for their community, providing sustenance and shelter for people who had been dislocated from their homes.
“The club will forever hold a special place in the community.
“Joseph (Chidiac) is an inspiration.
“He has created opportunities and changed lives for so many people.
“Without his efforts Wheelchair Rugby League wouldn’t be where it is today.
“He is a trailblazer in our game and is a shining example of what you can achieve with remarkable dedication, care and compassion,’’ he said.
