Pathway Meets Legacy: IN SPORT App Launch Connects Vegas 9s Collegiate Athletes with Rugby League Greats

Following the recent announcement by National Collegiate Rugby confirming the selection of elite U.S. collegiate athletes to compete in the 2026 NRL Vegas 9s, the significance of this week’s Sportsman’s Lunch was elevated even further.

The NCR roster announcement highlights a formal pathway connecting American university athletes to the NRL’s international stage — a major step in the global growth of rugby league. For many of these young players, Vegas represents more than a tournament. It represents opportunity.

Against that backdrop, the Sportsman’s Lunch became something truly special.

As part of the IN SPORT App launch, in partnership with the Arthur Beetson Foundation, athletes in attendance were given exclusive access to engage directly with Foundation ambassadors — leaders of the game who continue to shape rugby league’s future beyond their playing careers.

Meeting and greeting ambassadors who have defined eras of the sport provided these collegiate athletes with something money cannot buy: real conversation, shared stories, insight into legacy, and perspective on what it means to represent more than just yourself on the field.

The IN SPORT App is committed to capturing these moments — not just the spectacle of Vegas, but the human connection between generations of the game. Through our partnership with the Arthur Beetson Foundation, we are documenting the stories that inspire young athletes and strengthen the global rugby league community.

For these young collegiate representatives, the opportunity to connect with some of the game’s greats during this launch period was not just an event highlight — it was an experience that will stay with them long after the final whistle.