Andrew Abdo Interview | Teases blockbuster 2025 Vegas fixture & more! 06:17

We've certainly said this year and in previous years that it is such an exciting time to be involved in the game of rugby league because the crowd numbers are fantastic, television ratings are through the roof and the quality of the football we're seeing is phenomenal as well. And the NRL is today celebrating a significant milestone in the game's history with national community club rugby league player registrations reaching 200,000 in a season first quarter.

for the first time. The record number of player registrations in community clubs comes on the back of a strong start to the premiership with club memberships, match viewership and attendances on record pace past the midway point of the season. I thought we'd catch up with the NRL boss, Andrew Abdo, who we haven't spoken to for a little while, and he's on the line. G'day, Andrew.

Hey, g'day Mike, g'day everyone. Wonderful to catch up. You're in charge of the game as the Chief Executive Officer. Some of the numbers and facts and figures that you're looking at on a weekly basis, you must be delighted.

Well, this is the most pleasing. You were talking earlier around what a great response you've had from fans this season in terms of attending games live and watching on TV. But this is the one that I think I'm the most excited about. This is grassroots football and registered participation, volunteers, mums and dads, boys and girls, kids, coaches from across the country participating

that's the last blood of any sport. And for us to be able to get 200,000 registered participants is an important milestone and there's more work to do. But this is, as I said, the last blood of any sport. Tell me, Andrew, when you break down that 200,000 number, what's the sort of difference between the boys and the girls playing rugby league? Because the growth of the women's game at the moment is there for everyone to see.

Yeah, the mix is about 150,000 male and 50,000 female. If you think about it and you put it into perspective, rugby league has been a male-dominated sport for over 100 years. And it's only very recently that we've seen such a surge in popularity and growth in the women's game. And it's transforming the game for the better. So 50,000 registered tackle and league tag female participants across the country.

However, growing at about 15%, 16% a year. So the growth in the women's game is simply phenomenal. And I'm confident that in the next couple of years, we're going to see approaching an even split. So that's exciting.

I'm not trying to turn this into a negative here, but, mate, I'm involved in Junior Rugby League and I think the participation is fantastic. But the fact is, in our area, we've played five games this year because the grounds just aren't up to scratch to handle the wet weather. Is there any thought of input from the NRL to help get some of the grounds up to a standard where they can handle some sort of rain?

You know, Paul, you're raising a really important point and we've got some work to do and we want to work with the local councils. I mean, I get it. I've been impacted. I've got teenage kids as well and we've lost too much football this season to, yes, a lot of rain, but we need fields that have...

the ability to absorb that and the drainage simply isn't good enough. So we're going to work with local councils in the off-season and we're going to see what we can do with state government and local councils to get the investment that we need so that the drainage is there, so that even when it's raining, boys and girls and community football can continue. It's not going to be an overnight thing, but we are aware of it and we are working on a regional plan. It's not just in New South Wales that challenges around the country.

I know it's got nothing to do with participation, but you do need the fans going to games as well. It seems to me every time I watch a game, a lot of them have been sold out and the crowds themselves seem to be as good as they've ever been.

Yeah, absolutely, Vingman. We're averaging 20,000 per game this season, which for us is up double digits. So we're up 10%. It's the most attended season in the modern game's history. And it started with a bang in Vegas, and I think we've just seen some terrific football as a result. And on any given day, any team can win. And so I think fans are responding positively to great football being played by the players and the clubs.

and I think everyone is just enjoying the premiership competition. In a couple of weeks, we're going to get the NRLW kicking off, and then we're going to have a fantastic final series after a pretty exciting Oregon. So the fans are responding, and the 10-minute live attendance is up. I picked up the paper this morning, Andrew, and I read a story about Las Vegas with an impending announcement potentially as early as this week as the teams and the games that will be played. Can you shed any light on that for us?

Yes, we're getting very close. I think, you know, you can expect an announcement in the coming days. Certainly next week, I think it's likely that we'll have some very exciting news. And all I'll say is expect a bigger, bolder Las Vegas week in fixture and double the trouble.

Does that mean that we're going to be in that little area again, Andrew, with you having a little drinky-poo and watching all the crowd celebrating rugby league? Can I come, Andrew? Can I come, please? You were on the last NRL flight. I'm a pioneer. I was there with you. You were a pioneer. Surely you'll take me back. Hang on. Hang on. So the commission's decided to take rugby league to Vegas and you're a pioneer. I was there with them.

Oh, please. I was there with them. You did nothing. I beg your pardon. What did you do? I done promos every day. Every day I did promos for them and had a great time. So you're out there giving back to the game that's given you the wonderful life that you live. Yes, exactly right. But you're the pioneer. Well, I was part of the pioneer. Andrew, is Paul Garton a pioneer with rugby league going to Vegas?

Well, all I'll say is we've spoken about it a lot this afternoon, but this is the most passionate I've seen go all day. Andrew, I can't take my hat off to you enough. What you guys did in Vegas, it was unbelievable. I've got two words for you, Andrew. Ka-ching. No, I never got paid to go.

I went out of the goodness of my heart. Oh, goodness. You went out of the goodness of your heart. I did. I did get a business class flight there on back direct. That was fantastic. Andrew, well done. I thought that was some numbers that we should highlight this afternoon and any opportunity to catch up with the league boss as always. A great opportunity. Keep up the good work and we'll catch you soon. Thanks. Enjoy the afternoon's football. And if I can just say quickly, all the mums and dads, volunteers, coaches, referees out there in community football, thank you for such...

But of all the hard work and all the hours putting in, you know, playing a team sport and playing rugby league, it changes your life forever. So thank you to all our volunteers. All right, fantastic. Thank you, Andrew. That's Andrew Abdo, the boss of the National Rugby League.