The NRL has announced it has cancelled its season launch and partnered with Queensland Rugby League (QRL), NSW Rugby League (NSWRL), NRL clubs and the league’s naming rights partner Telstra, to create a $500,000 Flood Relief Fund.

The fund will work to assist grassroots clubs across NSW and Queensland who have been affected by the historic flooding along Australia’s east coast.

Through the cancellation of the season launch, the league will use the funds allocated to the launch to support the fund.

The NRL will also consider additional opportunities to promote and be involved in fundraising for those affected by floods, according to a press release.

Discussing the funds, NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo, said the mass amount of clubs and individuals affected by ongoing floods across Queensland and New South Wales are better suited for the funds which were allocated for the season launch.

“The scenes across southeast Queensland and northern NSW have been devastating and there could be worse to come with significant rain still to hit Sydney and surrounding areas,” Abdo said.

“From a rugby league perspective, many of our grassroots clubs have lost equipment and suffered damage in the flooding.

“We believe the funds allocated for the season launch could be better spent assisting those clubs get back on the field.

“Rugby league clubs are part of the social fabric of our communities, they bring people together, and we want to work together to assist our clubs in returning to the field as soon as possible.

“What I’m most proud of is how our game has banded together in the most challenging of circumstances over the last two years and we are doing that again today.

“I want to thank the QRL, the NSWRL, our clubs and our naming rights partner Telstra who are leading the way in contributing funds to assist our communities,” he said.

The news comes after the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) announced a $43.1 million surplus for the 2021 NRL season.