Welcome to our February 2019 edition of the Sharks Have Heart monthly newsletter as we document the community visits undertaken and the donations and support provided, keeping everyone up to date with all the most recent happenings.
Sharks Have Heart sharing the 'Love'
At a launch event attended by Sharks officials, local politicians, businesspeople, representatives from Sutherland Shire Family Services (SSFS), students and teachers, it was announced that Sharks Have Heart, the community arm of the Cronulla Sharks, had entered into a partnership with Love Bites, a program delivering respectful relationship education in local Sutherland Shire High Schools.
Developed by NAPCAN (National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect), the Love Bites program, fitting comfortably within the Sharks Have Heart social impact pillar, has consistently reached over 1,200 Year 10 students each year since it was launched in 2011.
As a part of the new arrangement, Sharks Have Heart and their platinum partner Capital Bluestone will help to fund a part time coordinator for the acclaimed school-based domestic and family violence, sexual assault and consent awareness education program, with Sharks Co-Captain Wade Graham volunteering to become a program ambassador.
CLICK HERE to see the Sharks website editorial and video presentations in providing more detail on Love Bites, the great work they are doing in local schools and on the recent launch event.
Sharks School Blitz
The Sharks NRL squad, along with players from our Harvey Norman Women’s and Jersey Flegg teams, visited over 11,000 students, across 45 schools in the local area to spread positive messages around resilience.
On a huge day of engagement between the Sharks and students in the Sutherland Shire, all fulltime players were assigned to at least two schools, where they delivered the important messages with the assistance of NRL Development Officers.
Paul Gallen dropped in on the kids at Caringbah High School and Burraneer Primary, Andrew Fifita was at Sutherland Primary and Minerva Street school, while Wade Graham and Matt Moylan were welcome visitors at Star of the Sea at Miranda and Taren Point Primary School.
The remainder of the NRL group was spread to the four corners of the Shire, both in morning and afternoon sessions, in presenting the positive messages, providing information as to the local junior league competitions and in encouraging support for the Sharks in 2019.
CLICK HERE to see the video presentation from the School Blitz day as Sharks Media caught up with Chad Townsend and Aaron Woods at Miranda North Public School.
Jayson gets his ‘Game On’
Sharks star Jason Bukuya joined author Dr Sarah Tillott at the first of three visits to local libraries during February, reading and promoting the rugby league-themed children’s book “Game On”.
Dr Tillott read the book at the three sessions, father of three Bukuya lending a helping hand at Menai Library, with the book aiming to empower, engage and educate children in important social situations including how to overcome conflict, anxiety and anger management issues.
Dr Tillott later read and presented Game On at the Engadine and Sutherland libraries.
Game On aligns with Sharks Have Heart in engaging and helping to build resilience within the youth of the Sutherland Shire, while encouraging children to read more books.
For more about Game On, how to register for the free schools resource and a story on the library visits, CLICK HERE
Menai a Make Bullying History first for 2019
Founder and CEO of the Make Bullying History Foundation Brett Murray delivered the first presentation of his award-winning program in 2019 when he visited Menai Primary School during February.
After a previous presentation in 2018, Murray was welcomed back to Menai in building on his previous messages, continuing to create awareness around bullying and to offer positive solutions to eradicate it from the school.
Murray presented to the entire school population of around 80 students, before working with the student leaders at a private session.
The Make Bullying History Initiative will be presented to Cronulla High School, De La Salle Caringbah and Heathcote East Primary School during the next month.
There are limited spots available in 2019 to have the Sharks Make Bullying History Initiative at your school. Contact [email protected] to register or to find out more.
Sharks Have Heart thank Platinum Partner Capital Bluestone for their continued support of community initiatives and programs
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.
