In 2023 Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade turns 45 but the NRL will not be represented.

Our game has been featured as a part of the event’s festivities in the past with the NRL having a float in the parade but in 2023 this will not be the case as the league has had its bid rejected for this year.

The event’s organisers have put together a statement where they explained why some applications were rejected.

“Because of this milestone year, we received a phenomenal number of parade applications, far exceeding our total capacity,” said a Mardi Gras organiser.

“To ensure the safety and security of all our participants and spectators, we must adhere to strict limits on numbers of both people and vehicles involved in the event.

“While we wish we could open our arms to all applications, demand for this year was so high that we only had capacity to accept 70 per cent of the total applications we received.”

Other sporting codes are believed to have had their bid for a float in the parade accepted which has decided to exclude the NRL even more surprising.

Channel Nine’s The Mole has received a statement from the NRL which goes into further detail about this situation.

BREAKING NEWS: The pride jersey saga takes a fresh controversial twist! 👀 #NRL #9WWOS

https://t.co/LqWw5PA26b

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) February 10, 2023

“The NRL has proudly participated in the Mardi Gras for seven years and applied to participate in the 2023 event having been successful with our 2022 application,” said the statement from the NRL.

“The NRL was informed on 12 September 2022 that we were unsuccessful in our application to participate in the 2023 Parade.

“The NRL is committed to creating an environment of respect, equality, and inclusiveness, ensuring everyone has ‘Pride in League’.

“’Pride in League’ represents the pride we have in our game and its people, the pride we have in the diverse backgrounds that makes up the rugby league community, and the pride we have in our ability to rise to the occasion and support our teammates.

“The NRL’s involvement in the Mardi Gras does not change its commitment to creating an inclusive sport and specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community.”

It is good to see that despite their exclusion from the Mardi Gras parade that the NRL is still committed to promoting inclusion and supporting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.