Sharks Have Heart, the community arm of the Cronulla Sharks, support numerous community events and initiatives every month.
Through generous donations from the community we are able to provide 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.
To support Sharks Have Heart in the delivery and sustainability of our programs and initiatives, donations can be made – CLICK HERE – to help make a difference in the community.
For now, welcome to the September 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.
Sharks supporting a special young fan
Led by Coach Shane Flanagan and front rower Andrew Fifita, the Sharks did their best to raise the spirts of a special young fan.
Ryder Gerkins, who has been battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is receiving treatment at the Randwick Children's Hospital, with his family staying at Ronald McDonald House in Randwick, was invited to deliver the match ball on field before the kick off to the Sharks v Panthers elimination final at Allianz Stadium.
After the match Ryder was on the field soaking up the atmosphere and excitement following the Sharks win, before going into the dressing room to sing the team song alongside the NRL team and VIP guest the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Capping off Ryder's big night, Fifita after winning the Channel 9 Man of the Match, donated his prize of $1,000 to Ryder and the Ronald McDonald House in Randwick, three weeks after he had given him his boots.
We can't wait for Ryder to grow into Andrew's boots and to run out onto Southern Cross Group Stadium wearing them.
Young students graduate from 'School to Work'
The NRL recognised the 2018 NRL School to Work graduating class at an awards ceremony in Sydney on Tuesday, following the completion of the organisations' Indigenous education support program.
Eight young students, mentored by the Sharks School to Work Project Officer Daniel Holdsworth, were amongst those to graduate, with seven of the eight attending the awards ceremony.
Now in its fifth year, the award-winning School to Work program utilises the positive profile of rugby league to support and encourage young Indigenous Australians to complete secondary school studies and move into further education or work.
In 2018, NRL School to Work supported 824 students through senior High School and post-schooling pathways across three States and 11 NRL Clubs.
The NRL School to Work program is support by the Federal government to continue to close the gap across Indigenous communities.
For more on the School to Work graduating class, go to the Sharks website to read more - CLICK HERE
Kids get a Kickstart from Andrew Fifita
Sharks star Andrew Fifita dropped by to visit the local students involved in the Project Youth Kickstart program ahead of one of their early morning workouts at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
Kickstart is a program which runs throughout school terms three and four that provides at risk youth with positive mentors in their life. It involves young males aged from 13 and 16 who participate in at risk behaviours and criminal offences, with the focus of the program to improve attendance rates in high school and a reduction in crime rates of those offending.
Running over 18 weeks, the mentors from Project Youth pick up the students each Thursday morning and bring them to the Sharks home ground for a work out and healthy breakfast before dropping them at school. Each participant is provided with a mentor.
Kickstart aims to promote the benefits of sport and recreation to over 50 students and creating a positive lifestyle and behavioural change by motivating and setting goals for the future.
Fifita joined the students, before NRL training, chatting, posing for photos and encouraging them to continue to attend and participate in the program.
Get the running shoes on
Ramp up the training, get the body in shape, the running shoes ready and be a part of the Sharks10 Community Fun Run, scheduled to take off on October 7.
With the start and finish point at Southern Cross Group Stadium and with 10 per cent of the proceeds going to the Sharks Have Heart, all runners, both elite, casual, the young, old and everyone in between are invited to come along and take part in an event for people looking to have some healthy fun.
The annual Sharks10 Community Fun Run includes a 3km event for the novices and the full 10km option for the more serious participants, with over 300 runners predicted to take part.
Runners can register at www.sharks10.com.au or to read more about the 2018 Sharks 10 Community Fun run, go to the Sharks website article - CLICK HERE
Sharks circle the Gymea Village Fair
On Sunday, October 28, Gymea Village again hosts the Shire's one and only Spring Fair, an event which annually attracts over 50,000 patrons.
Boasting more than 195 stall holders from food to fashion, wine to flowers, the stalls line the length of Gymea Bay Road from The Kingsway to President Avenue, with the Sharks to once again have a presence at the Gymea Village Fair.
A Sharks Marquee will be set up where 2019 Memberships will be on sale, there will be giveaways and Sharks balloons, with Reefy the club mascot set to make an appearance.
The Village fair features a stage packed with nonstop entertainment including a fashion show, kids shows, bands and dance acts, all of which will keep those in attendance entertained as they enjoy the festivities.
Rides and showbags, new and exciting foods from Turkey to Mexico and everywhere in between, fairy floss, snow cones and face painting for the kids, there will be something for everyone!
Come and enjoy a great day out at the Gymea Village Fair and drop in and say g'day at the Sharks stall. Sunday, October 28 from 9am to 4pm.
For more info, go to http://www.gymeavillage.com.au/village-fair
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.
