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Set to be held at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February, the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines reaffirms the NRL's "commitment to rugby league in Auckland (with) a focus on grassroots, female participation and referees."

In partnership with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Limited (ATEED), the NRL has unveiled its 2015 program to enhance rugby league in Auckland.

In the days leading up to the 2015 Nines, the NRL will stage a Rugby League High-Performance Conference, as well as a Referee Workshop and a Women in League Leadership Forum.

Those three events will complement the key events which will be held in the lead-up to the 2015 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines, including the NRL Season Launch on Thursday night as well as Friday's Fan Day at Aotea Square, which will give supporters the chance to meet players from all 16 NRL clubs.

Introducing the program, NRL Head of Commercial Paul Kind stated "the commitment that the NRL has made to rugby league in Auckland through the Nines is significant in itself, but we have a chance to further grow interest in the game on the back of the tournament.

"The Nines provides us with something that is very unique for our code – all 16 teams coming together on the one stage. That brings with it opportunity – our Friday Fan Day will be the biggest day of fan engagement that we have been involved in.

"We are committed to using the success of the Nines to grow the game in Auckland. This year we have made junior coaches, referees and women our priorities and we look forward to seeing the impact of this Legacy Plan in years to come."

Auckland Mayor Len Brown added "the city is on a massive high when the NRL Nines comes to town and forms part of a massive international programme this summer which will deliver significant economic and social benefits for the region."

The program will provide increased opportunities for participation across all levels of the code by investing resources into the sporting community.

This year, 40 female rugby league administrators will attend the Women in Rugby League Forum on Thursday 29th January, followed by the High-Performance Conference on Friday 30th January – the latter event aimed at junior coaches and will include presentations and panel discussions. Meanwhile, local referees will be involved in a Referees Workshop which will also involve members of the NRL refereeing squad.

One of the key focusses of the program, female participation, has contributed to this year's Nines event including a nine-a-side match-up between the current women's World Champions the Jillaroos against New Zealand's Kiwi Ferns.

Tickets for the event, organised by the NRL, in partnership with Duco Events and ATEED, have been selling fast. This contrasts with the Wellington Sevens (7s Wellington) tournament, also being held in February, for which ticket sales have been sluggish.

For more information on the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines go www.ticketek.co.nz/nrlakl9s

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