Former Shark and current NRL Community Project Officer Daniel Holdsworth is taking the lead role in seeing local Indigenous Students progress from ‘School To Work’.
A program operated and sustained out of funds as raised by the NRL’s annual Indigenous All Stars versus NRL All Stars fixture, the works done by Holdsworth and the NRL Community program comes to life as the code celebrates the Indigenous Round in Round 10.
The School to Work Program (S2W) is an education and employment program that utilises the positive profile of the game of Rugby League to support and encourage young Indigenous Australians to make better of themselves.
Although an initiative not new at the Sharks, Holdsworth – in working closely with his former Club – is finding new ways to see local Indigenous students become ore active within their communities.
Holdsworth oversees near on ten Shark Crew volunteers, who are giving back to the Cronulla club which many of them hold close to their hearts.
Not only does the program serve to benefit the students in their quest for future employment, the Sharks have readily welcomed the involvement and assistance of the students at Southern Cross Group Stadium on game day.
“They get the whole game day experience, they’re really enjoying it and it’s a good experience for them,” Holdsworth said.
“I’ve met with the staff here at the Sharks so that the students can get a range of experience, including areas like hospitality.
“Some of the Sharks sponsors have helped out in different areas too. Everyone’s been really involved and really helpful.”
The students within the program, be it those looking for employment or others pursuing a path of higher education, are seen to be the beneficiary of the NRL’s - and Holdsworth’s - efforts.
“Our success rate is near on 96% at the moment, and there’s 600 students in the program,” Holdsworth said.
“Just last week, seven students were accepted into university. There’s plenty of examples of the great work of the kids and the program, too.”
