The rugby league Centenary logo for season 2008 has been unveiled, along with news that the National Museum of Australia will be holding a travelling rugby league history exhibition in NSW and Queensland during 2008, with a permanent exhibit at its Canberra gallery - NRL media release.

According to the SMH, "ARL chairman Colin Love said the centenary was something to be shared by all Australians". I would hope that time could be arranged for the exhibition, at least in part, to be also taken to Melbourne, perhaps to coincide with a World Cup match - surely it will help potential new fans to embrace the code when they can see what a great and long history it has? The links between Melbourne and rugby league extend to the first days of the NSWRL.

The "A" in the logo is based upon the badge worn on Australian (and Australasian) jerseys during a number of seasons in the first decades of the code.

The logo was launched by Prime Minister, John Howard, saying, "I salute the contribution that rugby league has made to Australia's national identity. It's a tough game. It started as the working man's game. It's become every man's game now. It still retains that working class character and that's part of its heart and soul and I hope it always does. But it's also a game that has reached out to the entire community." [Full transcript]

The full schedule of centenary celebrations will be revealed in Sydney on Wednesday August 8, 2007 - the 100th anniversary of the founding meeting of the NSWRL.

2008 RUGBY LEAGUE CENTENARY NEWS & UPDATES