'Positive outcomes beyond rugby league': Why this trip to Vegas will benefit a community

This isn't a game of 'one of these things is not like the other', but instead teams who will be competing at the upcoming NRL Vegas Nines.

The Wellington Wedgetails are preparing to fly out to compete at the tournament, which is held during the build-up to the NRL extravaganza at Las Vegas on Saturday, March 1.

The chance to take on sides from North America and around the world creates plenty of excitement, but the trip will also be about much more than that for the Wedgetails.

Much like their tour to New Zealand last year, the Wedgetails will take part in a cultural exchange with First Nations people while in America.

"Any time we can create time and space for our boys to be proud and share who they are and where they come from, and think of ways we can present that through song and dance, that's really important for us," Wedgetails president Nathan Towney said.

"It builds strength, not just in our boys but our community, and it makes them proud of where they come from.

"That's at the core of what we're trying to do."

Educating and instilling pride and a sense of connection in the young men involved in the Wedgetails not only creates a unique aspect of the trip, it also benefits them and the wider Wellington community.

At a time when so many regional communities across western NSW are focused on youth crime and its impact, Towney feels the Wedgetails' work shows the kind of positive thinking which is possible in these communities.

"I think a lot of that comes from young people not really seeing the bigger picture and having a purpose," Towney said.

"I guess part of this is to provide opportunity and to give people purpose, allow them to focus on something really positive.

"We like to think that has positive outcomes beyond rugby league."

The Wedgetails gathered together at the Wellington Soldiers Club for a jersey presentation on Sunday, February 16.

Seeing the excitement within the players, supporters and wider community meant plenty to Towney and those who have invested so much time to provide the club with these opportunities.

The first trip to New Zealand, which featured a 40-16 victory over a Wellington Maori side, was a huge success and the Maori outfit is expected to make the trip to Australian shores in reciprocation later this year.

"I don't think it's what we've done just in the last 12 months," Towney said.

"It's what the people that founded the club have built into it. It's about creating opportunity.

"I think the young ones are really excited and they're already asking if it's going to be around when they're older and they're eyeing off where they're going to go and what they might want to do.

"I know, for example, with the New Zealand partnership and they're keen to bring three teams over later in the year. A men's, women's and a youth team.

"That's really exciting that our young ones will get to engage and play and perform some cultural activities and do different things.

"We'll keep building on it and it's just wonderful when you drive around town and you see so many Wedgetails shirts and it does bring our community together."

The Wedgetails and the supporters on the trip will also attend the NRL double-header at Allegiant Stadium as well as a Los Angeles Lakers NBA match.

The Las Vegas Nines are played on February 27 and 28.