In 2016, during a highly competitive Group 4 grand final between West Tamworth and North Tamworth, Matthew Nean was sent off for making contact with the referee. While the incident was deemed contrary conduct, the contact appeared minimal  a minor brush, rather than an act of aggression or disrespect.

Nean was initially offered an 18-week suspension with an early guilty plea. After electing to contest the charge and being found guilty, the punishment was drastically increased to a 20-year ban from all levels of rugby league  including coaching, playing, and even attending his children’s games.

While Matthew Nean has had prior disciplinary issues, the scale of this suspension is seen by many in the community as harsh and excessive, especially given his efforts to better himself and reintegrate into the sport in a positive capacity.

Rugby league is more than sport in regional communities  it is a cultural identity, a gathering place, and a way of keeping youth connected, healthy, and engaged.

Matthew is a proud Gomeroi man, and his involvement in rugby league has always been tied to his cultural role in community leadership and mentoring. By banning him, the game has lost an important cultural community representative who has had the opportunity to guide and inspire younger Aboriginal players.

Rugby league is one of the few community platforms where Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people come together in genuine partnership. Excluding Matthew has not only impacted him personally but also removed a chance for cultural healing, reconciliation, and shared growth through sport.
For Aboriginal families, sport is deeply connected to identity, wellbeing, and pride. The ban has therefore had generational impacts, as Matthew has been prevented from coaching and supporting his children on the field  a cultural responsibility and rite of passage in itself.

Despite being unable to play or coach officially, Matthew has continued to serve his community in positive ways, including:

• Volunteering his time to support junior rugby league training sessions and mentoring young players outside of the formal system.
• Helping organise community events and fundraisers, showing his ongoing commitment to local sport and culture.
• Mentoring at-risk youth, particularly young Aboriginal boys, by sharing his experiences and encouraging them to stay connected to sport, education, and culture.
• Supporting cultural events and NAIDOC activities, reinforcing pride in Aboriginal identity and strengthening community ties.
• Stepping into family and community roles as a father, uncle, and mentor responsibilities that often extend beyond his own household into the broader community.

These contributions highlight that Matthew has not turned away from responsibility or growth. Instead, he has worked to give back and be a positive role model, even while excluded from the game he loves. 

What we are asking for:
- A formal review of Matthew Nean’s case by the NSWRL or an independent body.

-Consideration for a reduction or lifting of the ban, with conditions if necessary (e.g. probation, mentoring, community service, etc.).

-The opportunity for Nean to return to coaching, playing, and supporting local rugby league in a positive and respectful way.