“Significant Support”: Wally Lewis Reflects on NRL’s Bid for Inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics

Rugby league legend Wally Lewis has praised the sport’s prospective inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, describing it as a “significant boost” for the game. He has also suggested that a version of the sport based on touch football should be favoured.

This week, NRL officials initiated formal discussions regarding the possibility of incorporating a variant of rugby league into the Brisbane Games. However, Andrew Abdo and his team are still contemplating whether to advocate for touch, tag, or tackle football.

Touch football leaders have already been engaged in their own discussions to secure a spot for their sport in the Brisbane Olympics.

“While I have a fondness for the traditional body-contact game, I believe countries that don’t currently play rugby league will likely be advocating for touch football, which has developed into an outstanding sport,” Lewis commented on Nine’s Today.

“It has gained immense popularity universally. Regardless of whether people are rugby league, AFL, or soccer enthusiasts, they often participate in a game of touch footy.”

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Touch football boasts over 700,000 participants across Australia, with Touch Football Australia branding itself as the nation’s “largest social sport.”

The Touch World Cup held in Nottingham last July featured 187 teams from 39 different nations.

The NRL’s efforts to gain Olympic recognition coincide with its campaign to expand the game’s appeal in the United States.

The third year of a five-year development plan will witness teams such as the Bulldogs, Dragons, Knights, and Cowboys kick off the 2026 season in Las Vegas.

The preliminary sports programme for Brisbane 2032 is expected to be announced next year, following a 12-month delay in confirmation from the International Olympic Committee.

The organising committee for Brisbane 2032 will soon have the opportunity to propose new sports for potential inclusion at a date still to be determined.

“Having rugby league featured at the Brisbane Olympics would be a tremendous advantage for the sport,” Lewis remarked.

“It would certainly heighten the game’s visibility across the globe… The promotion of rugby league internationally is incredibly exciting, potentially making the game even more enjoyable for spectators.”