‘Key concerns’: NRL warned clubs about players competing at Koori Knockout in leaked email

The NRL’s increasing concerns about players competing in out-of-competition tournaments like the Koori Knockout has been highlighted in a leaked email. READ THE FULL EMAIL.

• HIA bombshell: Club’s shock over Foxx confession

An anxious NRL formally expressed “key concerns” about players being injured in the Koori Knockout before warning that insurance cover for players would be reviewed for 2024, according to a leaked email.

Star Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr revealed this week that he was concussed – and played on – during the Koori Knockout while Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan injured his ankle in the same event.

One senior club official wants the issue of players competing in non-sanctioned sporting events during the off-season - including boxing - to be discussed at the next CEO meeting.

Fearing a backlash through denial, clubs reluctantly allow their indigenous players to compete in the annual event, held earlier this month on the Central Coast.

An email was sent to all club CEOs and football general managers outlining the injury and insurance fears from Andrew Every, the NRL’s EGM Strategy and Transformation and acting EGM Technology, Participation and Community.

He wrote: “A key concern for the NRL is the injury risk to players should they choose to participate as a player in these events.”

Josh Addo-Carr admitted to being knocked out during the tournament.

One club has banned players from competing in similar off-season events.

The NRL agreed to insurance cover for players this year at the Koori Knockout and Queensland’s Murri Carnival but will review that decision for 2024.

And that insurance only applied to players who were granted official approval to play from their NRL clubs.

The Dragons confirmed Sloan was given permission to play in the Koori Knockout, as was Addo-Carr by Canterbury.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE NRL’S FULL EMAIL

This masthead can reveal one player who played without club consent last year sustained a serious injury but was not covered.

Addo-Carr revealed this week he was “knocked out” and “put to sleep” in a Koori Knockout game but continued playing, concerning the NRL and his club. He underwent, and passed, HIA protocols on Wednesday.

The NRL did not sanction both tournaments. NRL players are paid to compete in the Koori Knockout by tournament organisers, but then face being targeted due to their profile.

In his email, sent on September 1, Every wrote: “The NRL is aware of various community and First Peoples events that are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks that may involve the participation of NRL and NRLW players.

“While the NRL do not take an active role in organising or administering these events, there is a need to ensure minimum standards as it relates to the participation of NRL and NRLW players.

“A key concern for the NRL is the injury risk to players should they choose to participate as a player in these events. For the 2023 year, the NRL have agreed to provide insurance coverage to participating players for these events, with a view to reviewing this model for the 2024 season.

“This insurance cover will only be provided for events that are sanctioned by the relevant state and/or International Rugby League body. Should an event not be sanctioned, then we advise against any participation by NRL and NRLW players.

“As the NRL are unable to provide blanket coverage for all players we will require accurate participation numbers of NRL and NRLW players as insurance protection will only be provided if approval for participation is provided by the club. The NRL will not seek to cover non-approved players.”

NRL letter to clubs over Koori KO concerns

Every asked clubs to provide a list of participating players who have their club’s blessing.

He then said: “We note that insurance protection will not be granted to any players who have been denied approval by their NRL club to attend.

“Should an NRL player participate without approval from their NRL club, then the player assumes and inherits all consequential risk of injury and loss without any liability/responsibility attached to the NRL.

“The RLPA are contacting players with consistent information, reinforcing that players will need their club’s permission in advance to be insured.”

After being concussed, Addo-Carr became involved in a fight which resulted in a two-game suspension from the NRL which ended his chances of representing Australia at the Pacific Championships.

In a podcast called Let’s Trot, hosted by former player Josh Mansour, Addo-Carr said: “I was copping it all game against the Walgett boys and I’m getting knocked out, put to sleep, five, ten minutes into the game.”

Originally published as ‘Key concerns’: NRL warned clubs about players competing at Koori Knockout in leaked email