Sharks Have Heart, the community arm of the Cronulla Sharks, support numerous community events and initiatives every month.
From providing a range of community programs and initiatives, to supporting community partners as well as facilitating player visits within the community and making numerous donations to worthy causes and individuals, Sharks Have Heart has a fingerprint and involvement in numerous areas of the local community.
In spreading the word, while providing opportunity for people and organisations to request support and at the same time encouraging donations so as the important community work can be carried out, Sharks Have Heart has its very own website - www.sharkshaveheart.com.au
The website showcases the four pillars of Sharks Have Heart, to Inspire, Grow, Educate and Engage, in addition to providing details on the programs that are currently being run, while also offering the opportunity to track where donations and contributions are being utilised.
And you can help us to make a difference by donating to Sharks Have Heart, either through Play for Purpose (CLICK HERE to find out more) or by visiting the dedicated website.
For now, welcome to the August edition of the Sharks Have Heart monthly newsletter, detailing the work that has been done, the community visits undertaken and the donations and support provided, in keeping everyone up to date with all the most recent happenings.
For those wanting to receive the monthly newsletter, head to the Sharks Have Heart website to register.
Sharks make some 'Deadly Choices'
Club stalwart and 2001 Dally M Player of the Year, Preston Campbell returned to his former NRL club, as the Cronulla Sharks announced a partnership with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health's (IUIH) Deadly Choices preventative health program.
As a Deadly Choices Ambassador, Campbell has been instrumental in assisting to bring about better health and educational outcomes among Indigenous communities in Australia; a formula which the Sharks will now implement to boost existing and future community programs within its Sharks Have Heart portfolio.
As explained by Sharks Have Heart General Manager George Nour, empowering youth within communities is exactly what the Sharks intend to achieve through the Deadly Choices partnership.
"Sharks Have Heart are extremely proud to launch our partnership with Deadly Choices," Nour said. "To be associated with such a strong and respected brand within the Indigenous community is only going to strengthen our programmes within our diversity pillar."
At the launch, the Sharks were provided a snapshot of what it means to make 'Deadly Choices' and be role models for community, with Campbell joined by fellow long-term Ambassador and former league international Steve Renouf in discussing their roles.
Sharks Co-Captain Wade Graham, a member of the Australian World Cup squad last year and twice an Indigenous All Star in 2016 and 2017, was joined by Indigenous teammates Andrew Fifita, Jesse Ramien and Edrick Lee at the program launch.
For more on the Sharks partnership with Deadly Choices, CLICK HERE
Careers and Education Expo
Sharks Have Heart and their Platinum partner Capital Bluestone combined during August in hosting the 2018 Careers & Education Expo at Sharks Leagues Club.
Some 900 students from four local area high schools were treated to a glimpse of what their future career options might be at the event which showcased local businesses, University and TAFE advisors, as well as industry and trade experts at what was an informative event enjoyed by those who attended.
Two of the world's biggest brands in Google and Qantas were amongst the businesses present, with the year 10-12 students from across the Shire visiting stalls and speaking to representatives from 30 different organisations across a whole range of industries from hospitality to construction, fitness, technology, and the emergency services.
Sharks NRL players Aaron Woods, Ricky Leutele and Jayson Bukuya also attended on the day, interacting with students and talking through some of their pre-football employment experiences.
To read more about the Careers and Education Expo, go to the following link – CLICK HERE
ADF Recruitment/Sharks Experience Day
On the same day as the Sharks and Capital Bluestone were conducting their Career and Education Expo at the Sharks Leagues Club, 50 indigenous students from the NRL's School to Work program attended the Australian Defence Force recruitment day.
Arranged by Daniel Holdsworth, the Sharks School to Work Project Officer, the students took part in the Careers Expo, before making their way down to watch the Sharks at an NRL training session where they had photos taken before joining the Sharks NRL players and staff for lunch to talk about education and work options post high school.
The ADF seminar to follow included information provided by Petty Officer Luke Griffis from the recruitment team, as to the range of defence force roles offered and opportunities available.
The Australian Federal Government has provided $6.3million in funding in supporting the School to Work initiative through until 2020.
Sharks Game ON
Sharks Have Heart, in partnership with Platinum Partner Capital Bluestone and School For Living, attended Gymea Bay Public School to present the book 'Game ON', a teaching resource for primary schools written by Sarah Tillott.
Game On, which has been written with a Sharks and a rugby league theme, is offered free (one hard copy A3) to all Sutherland Shire primary schools and pre-schools.
Sharks star Andrew Fifita, joined NSW Women's Team member Shontelle Stowers and author Sarah Tillott in reading the book in front of around 250 attentive Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students.
Click here to find out more, including how to become a Teacher Ambassador and how schools can register to redeem the book for free.
Ronald McDonald House visit
Sharks NRL young gun Jack Williams took time out recently to brighten the day of eight-year-old Ryder Gerkins with a visit to Ronald McDonald House at Randwick.
An avid Sharks fan from Hay in south-western NSW, Ryder plays for the Hay Magpies, loves his footy and supports the Sharks from afar, citing Paul Gallen and Wade Graham as his favourite players.
Diagnosed with Leukemia, Ryan is doing it tough at the present time, so in a bid to lift his spirits Williams popped in to pay him and his family a visit.
Paul Gallen, who had training commitments on the day sent Ryder a personalised video message.
He was later a special guest at the Southern Cross Group Stadium when the Sharks played the Knights, where Ryder met his favourite players in the dressing room post game after cheering the team onto victory earlier in the day.
Men of League Foundation, who do outstanding work in the community for rugby league families, brought Ryder and the Sharks together.
The MOL have provided ongoing support to Ryder since his diagnosis.
Clubs NSW Awards
The Sharks Leagues Club was recognised for their efforts in supporting community initiatives with two award nominations at the prestigious ClubsNSW Community Awards.
The Sharks were one of a host of registered clubs from across NSW named as a finalist in the awards which highlight the outstanding social contributions made by clubs in their local area and throughout the state.
The nominations for the Sharks Leagues Club, through the club's community arm Sharks Have Heart, come in the categories of Health and Wellbeing and Disability and Welfare and Social Inclusion, stemming from their support of the Skillz4Me program and the Make Bullying History Foundation.
Clubs from as far north as Coffs Harbour, down to Merimbula in the south and out to Dubbo in the west, have been named in the list of finalists.
A record number of entries were received for this year's Awards, with winners to be announced at the Clubs & Community Awards gala dinner to be held at the International Convention Centre, Sydney, on October 13.
To support Sharks Have Heart in the delivery and sustainability of their programs and initiatives, donations can be made – CLICK HERE – to help make a difference in the community.
