An anti-racism initiative targeting primary school students in Years 5 and 6, the Sharks One Heart program was officially launched at Kurnell Public School earlier this week.
An event facilitated and presented by Sharks Have Heart Head of Community & Government Relations Jessica Macartney, along with Sharks stars Nicho Hynes, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Will Kennedy, included personal stories about the impact of racism the trio have experienced in their NRL careers and during childhood.
Utilising the diversity of the Sharks playing group and the power of sport as a vehicle to promote harmony and social cohesion, One Heart will be delivered throughout the year by trained staff, players and ambassadors in what is a 45-minute interactive assembly style presentation.
“With one in five Australians at one point in their lives experiencing racism, and three out of four indigenous Australians experiencing it regularly, it’s really important we use the Sharks brand and the profile of our players to promote an anti-racism message,” Macartney said.
Hynes, Mulitalo and Kennedy embraced the opportunity to launch the program and engage with the Kurnell students in addressing an issue they are keen to play their part in helping promote change.
“Just in our team we have 18 different cultures at the Sharks. We relayed the message of the strength of inclusiveness and diversity and how important that is to us” Hynes said.
“Another main topic we spoke about was around racial remarks and slurs the players have been copping and what people cop in everyday life, bringing the importance of eliminating that from our society, the next generation are going to be so important in stopping this from happening.
“I’m a different story where (they say) I’m not black enough and too white to be an Aboriginal man. I probably accepted that for too long and was too scared to talk about it.
“I’ve learnt so much in All Stars camps, to be proud and committed to who I am and to my identity and nobody can take that away from me,” Hynes added.
“It feels great to make a difference by being a part of the program,” Kennedy expressed. “I love what the Sharks are doing in getting behind this. It’s something we need to change.”
While Mulitalo emphasised the importance of educating primary school aged children to make a difference going forward.
“It’s important for this young group to learn about anti-racism. They’re the next generation, the ones who will be carrying the torch in the years to come,” Mulitalo said
“The world is moving at a different pace, and I think it is important for them to educate their friends, family members, future partners, their kids, about what it means to be diverse.”
A program looking to assist in the prevention of social marginalisation and in promoting inclusive communities, One Heart encourages young people to value diversity as a strength while embracing and celebrating difference.
The program also gives young people valuable insights into the role of an ethical bystander and the tools to be able to categorically reject and address racism in all forms.
To register interest in your school receiving the Cronulla Sharks One Heart program, please email [email protected]
Please note priority will be given to schools in the Sutherland Shire and Coffs Harbour regions.
