Courtesy of NRL.com, here is part 1 of the Good Guys in Rugby League for 2010.
Andrew Ryan, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Andrew is a spokesperson for the Bandaged Bear Cup at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and an ambassador for the Australian Disability Foundation. In 2000 he initiated the Andrew Ryan Captain’s Cup to support up-and-coming rugby league players and has also worked with Camp Quality, Beyond Blue and Greening Australia.
Preston Campbell, Gold Coast Titans: Preston Campbell was the recipient of the 2008 Telstra Ken Stephen Medal and is again nominated this year for his continued commitment to the community. This year Preston worked with the NRL to inspire the tremendously successful rugby league All Stars match. In addition to this Preston has donated much of his time to the club, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ “Learn, Earn, Legend!†campaign and many personal charity interests.
Tim Mannah, Parramatta Eels: In addition to his on-field achievements in 2010, Tim also managed to work on a number of community projects throughout the year. In the 2009/2010 off-season Tim flew to Rwanda to help build a village with Hope Rwanda. His brother’s battle with cancer inspired Tim to take on an ambassador role with the Cancer Council’s Call to Arms campaign. Tim has also been involved with the youth charity Streetworx for a number of years.
This is only part 1, so I’ll edit the post accordingly when Parts 2 & 3 are put up on Christmas Day and Boxing Day respectively .
Hard to disagree with the first 3 though given the magnitude of the work they’ve done.
Today, we acknowledge the great work of David Williams, Corey Parker and Terry Campese.
David Williams, Manly Sea Eagles – With injury ruling David out of the entire 2010 season, he has channelled his free time into working across all of the Sea Eagles community programs. This has seen David supporting schools, local charities and league related carnivals. He has also played a very important role in the refurbishment of the ‘Eagles Nest’ at Royal Far West, Manly.
Corey Parker, Brisbane Broncos – Corey holds ambassador roles with the Starlight Children’s Foundation, BoysTown, the Autism Early Intervention Outcomes Unit (AEIOU) and HUSH for Homelessness. Corey is also involved in club community activities through Broncos in the Community, including the Broncos Book Club, the McIntyre Centre and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
Terry Campese, Canberra Raiders – Terry is at the forefront of the Raiders’ Reaching Out community project and he is well known at the club for enlisting the support of other players for a variety of causes. Terry is an ambassador for White Ribbon Day and is a healthy eating ambassador for Avocados Australia. Terry has also undertaken roles with the Raiders 2010 Adopt-a-Raider Program, Ronald McDonald House and the Men of League Bowls Day.
More fantastic work from Williams, Parker and Campese.
Good to see so many NRL players actively involved with the community.
Jarrod Mullen, Newcastle Knights – For more than a year Jarrod has been an ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation and he is a frequent visitor to the Starlight Room at John Hunter Hospital. He is also a frequent visitor to Ronald McDonald House at the hospital. Growing up in Newcastle, he is particularly passionate about working in the local community and supporting the Knights’ fans.
Petero Civoniceva, Penrith Panthers – Together with the Panthers, Petero has set up the Panthers Mentoring Program to support members of the NRL team in their lives off the field. Each month Petero oversees a team dinner that includes ten mentors from the community. The group was established in 2009 and together they discuss everything from financial advice to seeking further career training.
Aaron Heremaia, New Zealand Warriors – Aaron has taken on a mentor role with the Dream Youth Centre Extreme (DYCE) youth centre in his hometown of Manurewa, New Zealand. Aaron’s work with the centre has inspired him to seek further training so he can continue his youth work after his rugby league career.
Chris Heighington, Wests Tigers – Chris has worked as an avid ambassador for the Wests Tigers anti-bullying program and has visited many schools throughout 2010. Chris has also dedicated much time towards the Wests Tigers partnership with the Exodus Foundation Tutorial Centre, which he visits monthly to read with the kids.
More great work by the players.
Who is your pick for the best community worker of the year in the NRL?