Sharks Christmas Blitz
The Sharks visit to the Sylvanvale Pre School, Sutherland Hospital and the Randwick Children’s Hospital lifted the spirits of all involved, with the players embracing the opportunity to put smiles on faces and the kids they visited as well as their parents appreciative of the gifts handed out and the time given to them by the boys.
The visits were a part of the Sharks Christmas Blitz, while the gifts were donated by the Sylvania Waterways residents group.
Sharks website camera were on hand at each venue, capturing a couple of happy snaps along the way.
CLICK HERE to see our photo gallery.
Junior Rep draw released
The NSWRL has released its 2015 Junior Representative season draws, with the both the Sharks Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball teams scheduled to have a BYE in round one.
The first assignment for both teams will now be matches against the traditionally strong Parramatta Eels on Saturday, February 21 at New Era Stadium.
In what shapes as the ‘tough’ side of the draw, the Sharks have also been drawn to face the Roosters and Knights, both well-performed clubs in recent years, while their first home game is in round two against the Bulldogs on February 28.
Despite the challenge of the draw, the two Sharks teams will head into the Christmas break in a positive mood, after the Matthews Cup enjoyed a solid trial victory over Souths, while the SG Ball boys were highly competitive in registering a three-tries all draw in their first off-season hit out.
The draw is subject to change ahead of the season getting under way next February and kickoff times have yet to be confirmed, however below are the draws for both competitions.
CLICK HERE for the Matthews Cup draw
CLICK HERE for the SG Ball draw
SOO tickets – the perfect Christmas gift
More than 10,000 tickets to Game I of the 2015 Holden State of Origin Series at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium have been sold since general public tickets went on sale on Tuesday.
NSW VB Blues coach Laurie Daley and halfback Trent Hodkinson joined Santa Claus aboard his sleigh at ANZ Stadium urging fans to get in quick for tickets to the opening game.
The NSW VB Blues will kick off their bid for back-to-back series wins when they host the Queensland XXXX Maroons at ANZ Stadium on May 27. It is the only game of the 2015 SOO series to be played in Sydney in 2015.
“The support we received from New South Wales fans this year was tremendous and I really encourage them to get behind us again by purchasing their tickets to Game I to help kick off what we hope will be another fantastic series for us,” Daley said.
“Origin is always an exciting time for Rugby League fans so you can’t go wrong if you give the gift of an Origin experience this Christmas.”
Game II of the 2015 series will be held on June 17 - at the MCG for the first time in 18 years. Tickets are already available via Ticketek.
Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will then host Game III on Wednesday 8 July with ticketing details yet to be announced.
Please visit www.ticketek.com.au/origin, call 132 849 or visit any Ticketek agency to purchase your tickets.
CLICK HERE to see the NSWRL.com video of Daley and Hodkinson ‘playing Santa’
John rings the “Celebration” bell
Sharks Elite Development Coaching Manager John Morris helped launch the ‘Celebration Bell’ today in the Oncology Clinic for children at Westmead Children's Hospital in Camperdown.
The Celebration Bell, which was an initiative of OPAC, (the oncology Parents advisory Committee) helps to celebrate the end of treatment or major milestones in a children's cancer journey.
“Our feeling as parents was that once our child finished treatment there should be something in place to celebrate that moment. That moment when your Doctor tells you your child's chemo treatment is finished, radiation is complete or whatever that milestone is. That moment when you want to jump with joy,” Maria Messina, a member of OPAC explained.
That's where the Celebration Bell comes in, with the child, or parent, ringing the bell in Clinic or in Camperdown to celebrate that wonderful milestone.
“It is also hoped that seeing the bell rung will give the families currently going through treatment, hope that treatment does end or great milestones can be joyfully celebrated,” Messina added. “We like to think of the Bell as our 'Ring of Hope'.”
Morris was excited to be a part of the event and thrilled to have helped launch such an inspirational and significant initiative.
Photo below is of Morris with Melinda Ledwith who is part of the committee, along with her son Thomas who finished treatment in June
