Cronulla Sharks and Newtown Jets winger Mitch Brown this week lead a ‘Sharks Tomorrow’s Stars’ talk at Sharkies Leagues Club, highlighting the value and importance of education for secondary students.
The Sharks Tomorrow’s Stars indigenous program is a career-based initiative funded via the NRLs Indigenous All Stars Program, designed to teach students the value and confidence by creating positive learning experiences.
The program also aims to help students to think more clearly about who they are, what skills they possess and what skills they will need to learn as they move towards future careers.
Now after a decade of plying his trade in the NRL, and heading into the twilight years of his career, Brown says that he has often wished that there were measures in place to have a compulsory education when he was coming through the grades.
“When you’re playing footy and you’re 18 years old, and you’re thinking ‘this is it’ ... this is my tenth year and it’s just flown,” he said.
“We didn’t have all these programs and these opportunities to learn. Now in NYC, you have to have a job or be studying to play.
“The push that these kids are having now, it would have made life after footy a whole lot easier.”
Now well aware of the issues that face a lot of players of his era, Brown is taking the steps to make sure that the new crop of talent understands the importance of education in establishing a life after sport.
Brayden Kilpatrick, a current HSC Student and a product of the Sydney Swans Academy, said the ‘Sharks’ Tomorrow’s Stars’ offered a different perspective on education and the importance of foresight for a budding talent.
“It’s a great initiative ... coming from an AFL-minded background it’s great to see it from an elite NRL athlete’s point of view,” the 18-year-old said.
“It’s not all about the money, and that doesn’t constitute that you can retire from football without a back up plan.”
The Cronulla Sharks Round 22 ‘Indigenous Round’ clash with the North Queensland Cowboys is proudly brought to you by Sutherland Heart Clinic.
