Averillo keen to represent Zimbabwean culture

Dolphins outside back Jake Averillo represents one of the more unique heritages that will be honored during the festivities of Multicultural Round.

Averillo is of Zimbabwean descent through his grandfather, and this is a heritage he represents proudly.

“My grandpa on Mum’s side is Zimbabwean, which used to be called Rhodesia, and he came over when he was 18,” Averillo said.

Despite the heritage being rare, it is a common trend for players to have grandparents which are born overseas, with more than two thirds of all current players having at least one grandparent that was born overseas.

For Averillo, his Zimbabwean heritage is a culture he’d one day like to explore.

“I’ve never been (to Zimbabwe), I think one day I’d like to go,” Averillo said.

Across the wider rugby league community, over 230 countries are represented as a whole, and over 17,000 club rugby league players were born overseas across 153 countries.

“It is very different, I haven’t really delved into it too much, but I’d like to one day,” Averillo said.

In 2026, 66 heritages will be represented in the NRL and NRLW playing squads, which is up from 63 heritages in 2024 and 65 in 2025, highlighting the games cultural progression.

The Dolphins will play the Sharks at 4:30 AEST this Saturday at Ocean Protect Stadium in Sydney, and the NRL urges both players and fans alike to celebrate their own cultures, but also embraces the culture of others during Multicultural Round while at games this weekend.