Through its community arm Sharks Have Heart, the Sharks help, inspire, engage, educate and advance equality by supporting a variety of community programs. See the November 2020 newsletter which details the recent efforts of Sharks Have Heart and the initiatives and organisations it supports.
Sharks Bushfire relief
The Sharks raised over $25000 while providing grants to four NSW South Coast community groups as a part of their relief efforts to those affected by the December 2019, January 2020 bushfires.
The grants can in addition to the NRL playing group spending a combined 120 hours volunteering in the clean-up progress.
The grants were made possible as a result of a Sharks Have Heart action earlier this year, with players both current and former, donating unique memorabilia items in support of the appeal.
For more on the bushfire relief appeal and where the much-needed funds were distributed, go to the following link – CLICK HERE
Supporting All Abilities
The Sharks supported All Abilities program returned for terms three and four of this school year following lifting of COVID restrictions.
The All Abilities program is aimed at children with high level additional needs and aims to include and afford them opportunities to take part in sports and skills programs, alongside Sharks players they may not otherwise have had the chance to engage with.
Aspect South East Sydney School has been attending weekly in term four where the program is delivered in a safe and fun environment for the students, featuring one-to-one attention from staff members and the Sharks representatives.
Sharks Have Heart Jerseys – don't miss out
It’s a Sharks exclusive! Limited to 350, with over 250 jerseys already sold, new for 2021 the Sharks are offering a Limited-Edition Sharks Have Heart Charity Jersey, where your name is printed on the jersey as a unique collectable for you to own.
A striking predominantly white jersey design, one with the very special feature, is to be worn by the Sharks NRL team during an official Telstra Premiership match in 2021.
For $299 you will receive the jersey, specially boxed and presented, featuring your name and with every jersey individually numbered.
The Charity Jersey is the first new initiative to be launched in line with an exciting rebranding of Sharks Have Heart, a new look and logo that has been modernized, refreshed and aims to better align the Sharks community arm with the two licensed facilities and the club’s football operations.
Don’t miss out, order and own your Sharks Have Heart Charity Jersey now.
Funds raised from the sale of the jerseys will go to supporting SHH programs and initiatives.
CLICK HERE to order or to find out more
MBHI is back
After being impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions, the Make Bullying History Initiative (MBHI) has returned to schools where it will take up where it left off in delivering engaging and informative presentations on bullying and domestic violence in our community.
The MBHI aims to empower people and communities to dismantle the bullying cultures within society.
Since March 2016, MBHI in partnership with the Sharks, has delivered almost 70 presentations in the Sutherland Shire, in addition to six in the Riverina region, equating to direct contact with around 8000 students, parents and teachers.
In 2018 the MBHI was recognized as the #1 health and well-being program in NSW and in March the following year, with independently researched success rate of 77 per cent, as was assessed as the most effective bullying education and prevention program in the world.
Those schools interested having in the Sharks MBHI visit your school, please email [email protected]
Celebrating NAIDOC
The Sharks celebrated NAIDOC Week during November with a morning tea at Sharks at Kareela.
Aunty Deanna Schrieber delivered a Welcome to Country, accompanied by a performance by Endeavour High School Clontarf Academy students, Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta spoke about the importance of NAIDOC week celebrations, Indigenous Programs Co-Ordinator Rachal Allan discussed the 2020 theme – ‘Always was. Always will be” - and Chairperson for NSW Aboriginal Lands Council, Councillor Anne Dennis, addressed the room.
Joining Councillor Dennis from NSW Aboriginal Lands Council was deputy-chairperson Councillor Charles Lynch, and Councillor for Sydney Metro region, Councillor Abie Wright.
Other notable guests included our partners in Indigenous Programs delivery, platinum partner Woolooware Bay, Vitalis Family Medical, The Central Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, Deadly Choices, along with students from the Endeavour High Clontarf Academy and from the NRL School to Work program.
Aunty Deanna and Rachal also represented the Sharks at Woolooware High School’s NAIDOC event, joining In on creating mural artworks.
In addition, Mezzatesta, Allan, Sharks centre Jesse Ramien and retired NRL great Luke Lewis attended the Waranara School’s NAIDOC event to meet students and to have a conversation about overcoming adversity and finding pride in their identity.
During a busy week, Allan facilitated activities with Deadly Choices Deadly Blues competition winners who flew in from all over NSW to attend Game 2 of the State of Origin Series, where they had an opportunity to meet Indigenous legends of the game.
Supporting White Ribbon
With no White Ribbon march and a scaling back on other regular events due to the COVID pandemic, the Sharks delivered a strong message of unity via a video, condemning violence against women.
Our former captain and club legend Paul Gallen, Club CEO Dino Mezzatesta and Capital Bluestone Managing Director Ben Fairfax coming together to record the powerful message.
Sharks Have Heart thank Woolooware Bay for their ongoing support which allows us to deliver our Sharks Have Heart community programs and initiatives.
