A Shark during the 2013-2014 seasons, Jonathan Wright enjoyed a solid NRL career.
As Shark #473, 41 of his 121 NRL games were for the Cronulla club, Wright scoring a handy 37 tries during a 10-year career for what was a more than reasonable strike rate for the lanky outside back.
A popular teammate wherever he played, Wright also represented the Eels, Bulldogs, Warriors and Sea Eagles always proud of his Gamilaroi/Dunghutti heritage.
However, while what he accomplished on the rugby league field was noteworthy, Wright might be doing his best work since hanging up the boots.
Now guiding, mentoring, and educating Indigenous youth, Wright returns to the Shire and PointsBet Stadium for the first time since he retired from the game in 2018 to represent the Sharks as their Indigenous Round Ambassador.
“Through his experience as a professional rugby league player he learned how to utilise his platform to become a mentor and role model, in particular for Indigenous youth,” Sharks Head of Community & Government Relations Jessica Macartney said.
This desire to try to help his people make better life choices and to show them what is possible, led Wright to establish his own business, Dhinewan Mentoring, an organisation providing high quality mentoring programs, in culture, leadership and wellbeing.
“Jono is passionate about empowering students to be confident, resilient and motivated to reach their goals and aspirations,” Ms Macartney added.
Always enjoying an active involvement in the NRL’s Indigenous Round, going back to his days at the Sharks, Wright has been performing and teaching Aboriginal dance for over 20 years, while he also had considerable input into the Indigenous War Cry performed pre-game at the annual All Stars game.
Tonight, Wright returns and will proudly lead the Sharks out as the club’s Indigenous Ambassador for what promises to be a huge night in celebrating Indigenous culture.
On Friday, he brought a group of students from Newcastle area schools to meet the Sharks NRL playing group and to watch the team’s final training session. Sharks Media had the opportunity to talk to Wright about his return to PointsBet and the outstanding work he is doing in the community, with his interview now playing above.
For more on Dhinewan Mentoring and the services they provide – CLICK HERE
