Naked Rugby League
Encyclopedia
Naked Rugby League is a black-and-white
nude calendar
featuring professional rugby league
footballers of Australasia's National Rugby League
competition.
Released in October 2006, the 2007-2008 14-month calendar spanning from January 2007 to February 2008 calendar was produced in the same erotic style of French
rugby's annual Dieux du Stade
calendars with the players being photographed nude separately in various locations, both indoors and outdoors. The photos were taken by the Australian celebrity photographer Pedro Virgil
.
The calendar was released in general black-and-white edition and a limited edition in colour. But the calendar was not officially sanctioned by the National Rugby League.
Proceeds from its sales were donated to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation
of Australia.
Naked Rugby League was a follow up to League of Their Own 2006.
and Ryan McGoldrick
) from the League of Their Own were taken out to be replaced by three new players, three being Greg Bird
, Brent Webb
, Paul Whatuira
and the fourth, an unknown unidentified mystery player who was photographed from behind.
The following players are featured:
told Australia's Sydney Confidential. Anneseley particularly criticized Nick Youngquest
of the (St George Illawarra Dragons
) for his photo (June 2007 photo on the calendar) saying that "Youngquest had taken the idea 'too far'. He may not have known that he was in that, ah, position, but it's just something we feel the publishers went too far with". About the charitable cause the calendar served, Anneseley responded: "We have a very close association with the National Breast Cancer Foundation... but the nature of the publication is not anything that we would have approved to be associated with the NRL."
A National Breast Cancer Foundation spokeswoman said the organisation was not behind the actual production of the calendar, but confirmed it would benefit from its sale.
Youngquest responded that he knew what he was doing at the time but did it all in the name of charity with proceeds going to breast cancer research. He commented: "The photographer [Pedro Virgil] rang and said the best photo he had was a bit revealing and asked me if I minded. I said I didn't mind. It's all for a good cause," Youngquest said. In any case, this isn't Youngquest's first nude calendar and the player regularly makes the top of the most attractive player polls. Youngquest continued: "It is for breast cancer, so if it affects my image, I would be pretty disappointed by it. I don't think anyone would be that shallow to let that happen. The photo is for a good cause, so, if it stirs any controversy, so be it."
The Australian celebrity photographer Pedro Virgil
who had taken the photos of the players defended his work saying about the calendar: "It is provocative in the sense that the guys are naked... but in this case it is tasteful," he said.
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
nude calendar
Nude calendar
Nude calendars are a special type of wall calendars or table calendars. Nude calendars have proliferated in recent decades and some have become greatly anticipated annual traditions...
featuring professional rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballers of Australasia's National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
competition.
Released in October 2006, the 2007-2008 14-month calendar spanning from January 2007 to February 2008 calendar was produced in the same erotic style of French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
rugby's annual Dieux du Stade
Dieux du Stade
Dieux du Stade is the title of two books and several calendars and DVDs first published in 2001, featuring nude and semi-nude photographs of members of Stade Français, a Paris-based domestic French rugby team...
calendars with the players being photographed nude separately in various locations, both indoors and outdoors. The photos were taken by the Australian celebrity photographer Pedro Virgil
Pedro Virgil
Pedro Virgil is an Australian celebrity photographer. His photography is featured in many magazines covers and editorials including: Inside Sport, Men's Health, GQ, Sports Illustrated, GT, DNA Magazine, FHM, Details...
.
The calendar was released in general black-and-white edition and a limited edition in colour. But the calendar was not officially sanctioned by the National Rugby League.
Proceeds from its sales were donated to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation
National Breast Cancer Foundation
The National Breast Cancer Foundation is the leading community-funded national organisation in Australia, supporting and promoting research for the prevention and cure of breast cancer....
of Australia.
Naked Rugby League was a follow up to League of Their Own 2006.
Participants
The calendar featured ten of the previous twelve League Of Their Own (2006) players Same pictures or similar photos were used for the 10 players. Only Brad TigheBrad Tighe
Bradley Tighe is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Newcastle Knights. His position is ....
and Ryan McGoldrick
Ryan McGoldrick
Ryan McGoldrick is a professional rugby league footballer for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League. He has previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks as well as representing the New South Wales Waratahs in rugby union...
) from the League of Their Own were taken out to be replaced by three new players, three being Greg Bird
Greg Bird
Gregory Bird is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
, Brent Webb
Brent Webb
Brent Webb is an Australian-born New Zealand rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Leeds in the Super League. Webb plays as a full-back and is a former New Zealand international.-Early years:...
, Paul Whatuira
Paul Whatuira
Paul Whatuira is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL...
and the fourth, an unknown unidentified mystery player who was photographed from behind.
The following players are featured:
- January 2007: Paul WhatuiraPaul WhatuiraPaul Whatuira is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL...
(Wests TigersWests TigersThe Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
) - February 2007: Michael WittMichael WittMichael Witt is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Harlequins RL in the Super League...
(Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesManly-Warringah Sea EaglesThe Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
) - March 2007: Ashley HarrisonAshley HarrisonAshley Harrison is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the NRL...
(South Sydney RabbitohsSouth Sydney RabbitohsThe South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
) - April 2007: Riley BrownRiley BrownRiley Brown is an Australian professional rugby league player who is currently contracted with the Gold Coast Titans in the National Rugby League . He primarily plays at Hooker.-Playing career:...
(Newcastle KnightsNewcastle KnightsThe Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
) - May 2007: Amos RobertsAmos RobertsAmos Roberts is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for English club Wigan Warriors of Super League. A country New South Wales representative prolific try-scoring back, he previously played in Australasia's National Rugby League for the St...
(Sydney RoostersSydney RoostersThe Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
) - June 2007: Nick YoungquestNick YoungquestNick Youngquest is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Castleford Tigers club of Europe's Super League. He previously played for Crusaders RL, Gateshead Thunder, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, St George Illawarra Dragons, Penrith Panthers and Bulldogs...
(St George Illawarra DragonsSt George Illawarra DragonsThe St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
) - July 2007: Johnathan ThurstonJohnathan ThurstonJohnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
(North Queensland CowboysNorth Queensland CowboysThe North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
) - August 2007: Brent WebbBrent WebbBrent Webb is an Australian-born New Zealand rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Leeds in the Super League. Webb plays as a full-back and is a former New Zealand international.-Early years:...
(New Zealand WarriorsNew Zealand WarriorsThe New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
) - September 2007: Ben RossBen RossBen Ross is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League . A Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has previously played club football for St...
(Penrith PanthersPenrith PanthersThe Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
) - October 2007: Stuart WebbStuart WebbStuart Webb is a former professional rugby league player for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the Australian National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. His position of choice is at hooker...
(Sydney RoostersSydney RoostersThe Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
) - November 2007:Liam FultonLiam FultonLiam Mark Fulton is an Australian professional rugby league footballer. He play for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. Fulton primarily plays at lock....
(Wests TigersWests TigersThe Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
) - December 2007: Greg BirdGreg BirdGregory Bird is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
(Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) - January 2008: Justin HodgesJustin HodgesJustin Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
(Brisbane BroncosBrisbane BroncosThe Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
) - February 2008: An unknown mystery player, photographed from behind
Reactions
Immediately after publication of the calendar, the National Rugby League was quick to distance itself from the project. "We don't have an issue with the players having got their gear off, but what we want known is the NRL is not associated with the calendar," NRL chief operating officer Graham AnnesleyGraham Annesley
Graham Annesley MP, an Australian politician, is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Miranda for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2011...
told Australia's Sydney Confidential. Anneseley particularly criticized Nick Youngquest
Nick Youngquest
Nick Youngquest is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Castleford Tigers club of Europe's Super League. He previously played for Crusaders RL, Gateshead Thunder, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, St George Illawarra Dragons, Penrith Panthers and Bulldogs...
of the (St George Illawarra Dragons
St George Illawarra Dragons
The St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
) for his photo (June 2007 photo on the calendar) saying that "Youngquest had taken the idea 'too far'. He may not have known that he was in that, ah, position, but it's just something we feel the publishers went too far with". About the charitable cause the calendar served, Anneseley responded: "We have a very close association with the National Breast Cancer Foundation... but the nature of the publication is not anything that we would have approved to be associated with the NRL."
A National Breast Cancer Foundation spokeswoman said the organisation was not behind the actual production of the calendar, but confirmed it would benefit from its sale.
Youngquest responded that he knew what he was doing at the time but did it all in the name of charity with proceeds going to breast cancer research. He commented: "The photographer [Pedro Virgil] rang and said the best photo he had was a bit revealing and asked me if I minded. I said I didn't mind. It's all for a good cause," Youngquest said. In any case, this isn't Youngquest's first nude calendar and the player regularly makes the top of the most attractive player polls. Youngquest continued: "It is for breast cancer, so if it affects my image, I would be pretty disappointed by it. I don't think anyone would be that shallow to let that happen. The photo is for a good cause, so, if it stirs any controversy, so be it."
The Australian celebrity photographer Pedro Virgil
Pedro Virgil
Pedro Virgil is an Australian celebrity photographer. His photography is featured in many magazines covers and editorials including: Inside Sport, Men's Health, GQ, Sports Illustrated, GT, DNA Magazine, FHM, Details...
who had taken the photos of the players defended his work saying about the calendar: "It is provocative in the sense that the guys are naked... but in this case it is tasteful," he said.