Harmony Nines set for long awaited return

Europe meets the Pacific, meets the Middle East, meets Latin America, meets Australian Indigenous teams - that’s how wide the reach is for the Harmony Nines tournament, which is making its return on October 29-30 after a four-year absence.

More than 675 participants across 44 teams and representing 18 countries (and other areas) are expected to take part in the NSWRL event at Albion Park, south of Sydney, which will focus on cultural celebrations and acknowledgment of heritage.

North Macedonia will be involved for the first time in 2022, with Paul Gallen, Josh Morris and Keith Galloway helping to prepare the team in the absence of Shane Flanagan, who is England with the Papua New Guinea Kumuls.

Other teams include Cambodia, Vietnam, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue, NSW Maori, Ireland, Latin Heat, Italy, Malta and Lebanon.

Teams will also take part representing Indigenous NSW and Western Sydney Indigenous, NSW Police and the Physical Disability Rugby League All Stars.

Competitions will include male and female for Under 16s, Under 18s and Open Age, as well as Mixed Social Blues Tag and Physical Disability.

All age groups play games in the nine-a-side format each day, with cultural celebrations from each region or nation at night.

“So players get together and have a celebration of their heritage after playing a bit of footy together as well,” NSWRL Head of Community Football Peter Clarke said.

“A lot come together and form a group to play so they can help develop Rugby League in their home country.

“The critical step in that happening is to kick off a group here in the Harmony Nines.”

Clarke said the next steps would be developing strategies and projects to give the game more traction in their own nations.

"The Harmony Nines is a wonderful initiative and goes from strength to strength every season," he said.

“We’ve missed out the past few years but we’re back and it’s the first time we’ve taken the Harmony Nines to a regional area.”

Heritage Rugby League NSW President Javed Hamidi said: “The Harmony Nines will be culmination of a special return to football for many heritage clubs in NSW.

"It will celebrate culture and diversity through Rugby League, while focusing on development, as well as providing a fun festival atmosphere for all participants, their families and communities."