![\"WIN](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Photo-31-8-2023-1-46-22-pm-1200x682.jpg\")
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WIN Stadium will host games for the Rugby League World Cup in October 2026 . Photo: Keeli Dyson.<\/p>\n
The Rugby League World Cup is bound for Wollongong next year with hopes the international spotlight will further boost the profile of the game in the region, as Illawarra Rugby League continues to build and improve performance pathways and opportunities locally.<\/p>\n
The Illawarra will be showcased on the world stage with thousands of rugby league fans from England, Samoa and Papua New Guinea descending on WIN Stadium to support their nation\u2019s team, with Wollongong locals able to see the best of the sport right on their doorstep.<\/p>\n
\u201cEyes will be on the Illawarra from all around the world and I think it\u2019s massive for the region,\u201d Illawarra Rugby League Head of Football Carlo Napolitano said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a spectacle, it happens every four years, so it\u2019s not an everyday occurrence, and obviously it gets split between Europe and Oceania, so for it to be in our backyard I think people shouldn\u2019t miss that opportunity to attend the games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carlo was the coach of Italy\u2019s national side for the first World Cup the country participated in in 2013, so the event holds a special place in his heart.<\/p>\n
He has also experienced the thrill of representing the nation on the field, and hopes up-and-coming players watching the matches next October aspire to do the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying internationally, playing for your country is really important; I\u2019m fortunate I\u2019ve done that,\u201d Carlo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI played Great Britain under 18s, and obviously played for Italy because my father\u2019s Italian and I was very proud of my Italian heritage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no better feeling than singing the national anthem for your country.\u201d<\/p>\n
The region will host both men\u2019s and women\u2019s matches as well as the entirety of the wheelchair rugby league draw.<\/p>\n
That representation of this elite level, particularly for women and people with a disability, could help players to see the potential within the sport, as well as guide future local competition opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very proud of our leading female program, our females in the last three years have won the Harvey Norman premiership twice,\u201d Carlo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe produce a lot of NRLW players, if not for the Dragons for the other teams as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wheelchair rugby league is one that we haven\u2019t tapped into yet in the area but I think it\u2019s a great eye-opener.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of variables on how we\u2019d grow it but definitely something that we\u2019ll be looking at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strengthening Illawarra Rugby League\u2019s future is something Carlo is particularly passionate about.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the first things I did was sit down with the GM and go, \u2018Well, what\u2019s our vision, where are we going and what do we need to do to attain that?’\u201d<\/p>\n
Part of his focus is growing and improving quality through creating pathways from a young age.<\/p>\n
\u201cStability is the key,\u201d Carlo said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want people coming in for a year and then out. We want them to stay around.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to make sure we\u2019ve got the right curriculum from under sixes pushing all the way through the juniors that pour into the seniors.\u201d<\/p>\n
And ensuring everyone involved in the sport is able to reach their personal potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery player, boy or girl, man or woman, deserves to play the highest standard that they can play,\u201d Carlo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome people\u2019s standards are a little bit lower, some people\u2019s standards are a little bit higher, and we should actually have pathways for all those \u2013 including coaches, including support staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me it\u2019s about creating those pathways and then it\u2019s up to the individual to push as hard as they can.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hoped the World Cup will create a surge in interest and help give the sport a boost, but it\u2019s not just players who are being urged to get involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are other roles and jobs in the rugby league world where people can have a massive influence,\u201d Carlo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially around the committees and holding executive positions, even general committee.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so much that\u2019s involved. It takes a village to run a rugby league club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Illawarra Rugby League is hoping to support those in executive positions through its annual Admin Conference on Saturday 6 December, and get the ball rolling for next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe aim for us is to network but also to educate, it\u2019s very administration heavy and if you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re doing it can be hard,\u201d Carlo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to make sure they understand what the supports are.\u201d<\/p>\n
To find out more about Illawarra Rugby League or the Admin Conference, visit its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n