Sharks forward Toby Rudolf was honest enough to say his initial motivation to join the World’s Greatest Shave fundraising initiative was to have his first decent hair cut since joining the Cronulla club in 2023.
While his flowing locks have become a trademark for Rudolf, they have also developed into something of a hinderance both on and off the field.
However, after learning more in relation to the Leukemia Foundation and its 25th anniversary World’s Greatest Shave, Rudolf was all in when it came to raising much needed funds for those impacted by the illness.
That motivation and understanding then went up another level when the extremely personable Shark saw a video of three-year-old Elsie Roche, a girl from The Oaks in southwest who is Sydney in remission from Leukaemia, dancing and singing ‘Up, Up Cronulla’, while watching the Sharks.
“That was adorable, with her little bald head,” Rudolf told Pam Whaley from CODE Sports. “I just thought (shaving my head) would be something good to do. I do have the long hair, I’m known for it, I want to get rid of it, and why not raise money for a charity.”
In remission since September but still experiencing the side effects of maintenance treatment received at Westmead’s Children’s Hospital, Elsie visited a Sharks training session with her parents Amy and Sean, along with siblings Lyla (5), Arlo (2) and one month old baby sister Demi.
The family took the opportunity to meet members of the Sharks NRL squad including Rudolf, Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane.
“Toby is her favourite. Once she knew he was shaving his head, that was the obsession,” mum Amy said.
“When we showed her the photo of Toby with his long hair and told her that he’s going to shave it all off, she thought that was pretty cool,” dad Sean added.
In and out of hospital during her six-month treatment, Elsie bonded with her dad by watching NRL games with Sean, while developing a passion for mum’s team the Sharks.
“She loved watching the Sharks. At home she’d dance around in her jersey singing it, but she only knows the first two lines of ‘Up, Up Cronulla’,” Amy said.
“We were at the clinic one day and there was a really sick boy, a Sharks fan,” Sean explained. “The dad’s ringtone was ‘Up, Up Cronulla’. She looks over and sees he’s got the Sharks phone case, and she got excited. That’s where she started to learn the song.”
Toby is hoping to be as ‘brave’ as little Elsie when March 15 rolls around and the clippers come out for the World’s Greatest Shave, with the whole family then looking forward to attending the Warriors game on April 2 as special guests of the club.
Rudolf has set his own ambitious fundraising targets, an initial goal of raising $10,000 to shave his head, $15,000 for the head and beard, and 20k for his head, beard, and eyebrows. CLICK HERE to donate
Note: Special thanks to Pam Whaley from Code Sports for her assistance in bringing Toby and Elsie story to life.
