A crucial member of the Sharks NRL squad, characterised by his fearless charges with ball in hand and high work rate in defence, Toby Rudolf is perhaps equally recognised for his beaming smile and his selfless commitment to community causes away from game day.
Rudolf is also known by his long-luscious locks, hair which hasn’t seen a hairdresser’s scissors since before joining the Cronulla Club in 2019.
However, heading into a new NRL season, his on field effort is sure to remain the same, but one thing about to change is Rudolf’s hair style when he ‘braves the shave’ in support of the Leukaemia Foundation’s 25th anniversary of World’s Greatest Shave.
In backing a wonderful cause, one which raises vital funds to support the thousands of Australians facing a blood cancer diagnosis every year, Rudolf feels that now is finally the right time to mix things up.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper haircut. In fact, I haven’t cut my hair since I joined the Sharks almost four years ago. But what better time to do it than in support of the iconic World’s Greatest Shave,” said Rudolf.
“The Leukaemia Foundation do outstanding work for people with blood cancer, and if shaving my head and raising some funds helps them and the Australians they support in some small way, then it will be more than worthwhile.”
During the week of the World Great Shave in March, Rudolf is taking part in support of all NRL fans who have faced a blood cancer diagnosis especially the younger ones whose stories he’s familiar with.
“Aussie kids who are going through blood cancer are a huge inspiration to both me and the club. I’ve been told it is the number one cancer diagnosed in children, and to see little fans going through such a tough time, gives me the motivation to embrace a challenge like this one.”
Rudolf will join a list of Sharks players past and present who have shaved their heads and/or coloured their mullets and top knots by participating in the much-loved World’s Greatest Shave campaign, with Sione Katoa, Royce Hunt, Braydon Trindall, Siosifa Talakai, Jackson Ferris and Jensen Taumoepeau previously participating.
In the past 25 years, over 2 million Aussies like Rudolf have taken part in World’s Greatest Shave by shaving, cutting, or colouring their hair.
A Sharks local and former junior rep and NYC player, now a Leukaemia Foundation Ambassador in Sage Wilder, is another inspiration to Toby and the Sharks having beat blood cancer after he was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2017.
Members and fans can support Toby and the Leukaemia Foundation by making a donation to support Toby’s World’s Greatest Shave campaign, where he aims to raise $10,000 in support of the cause.
CLICK HERE to visit his donations page, or for more information please go to www.worldsgreatestshave.com.
