Three members of the Cronulla Sharks Jersey Flegg squad have extended their support to Bates Drive School in Kareela, assisting in the delivery of special education to students from Kindergarten to Year 12 with intellectual and physical disabilities, autism, mental health issues, and complex healthcare and behavioural needs.
Generously funded by Hino Australia, Cody Fuz, Manaia Waitere, and Toataua Porima work as Student Learning Support Officers, actively contributing to the implementation of the school's inclusive sports program for the 70 enrolled students across all grades.
“The support from Hino will enable us to continue a school sports initiative with the Cronulla Sharks Rugby League Club,” Principal of Bates Drive School, David Toogood said.
“The boys are employed to support a sports program which enables us to have one-on-one support for the kids with less ability, to enable them to participate fully like a regular kid would.
“They come in their Shark’s gear and the kids love it. It’s like a fun day every day that the boys are here,” Toogood added.
Beyond their involvement in the sports program, the players have embraced various responsibilities within the classroom, including supporting teaching and learning programs, facilitating well-being initiatives, and providing essential personal care for the students.
“I just support the teacher with whatever they need, toileting, getting changed, feeding and cooking food,” Fuz explained. “The teacher teaches and I just support wherever needed.”
The support provided by the players has not only maximised student engagement with the activities and fostered a strong bond between the children and their support officers but has also been instrumental in the personal growth of the Shark’s boys away from the football field.
“We feel like they add a lot to us, as well as us adding a lot to them,” Toogood said. “I’m very appreciative of the boys. They have grown here, we can see that.”
“I’ve been doing this sort of work for 2-3 years now and I’ve always found it very rewarding,” Fuz agreed with Toogood’s sentiments. “Coming to this school and feeling a sense of belonging within this school, it’s rewarding for the kids and also the staff as well.
“One of the main things that we try to do while we are here is build a connection with the kids and that’s built over time. It takes a while to build that connection, but once you do you have a lot of fun with them.”
“I enjoy it heaps. It makes me just as happy to come here and work every day as it makes the kids. Seeing the kids happy makes me happy,” Porima added.
Facilitated by Sharks Education and Wellbeing Managers Jeff Robson and Morgan Te Oka, the connection between Bates Drive School and the Cronulla Sharks is set to further expand, with four members of the NRLW squad joining as Student Learning Support Officers.
“We are moving forward to the NRLW which is very exciting because here we are very inclusive,” Toogood said.
“These kids with disabilities are often excluded, so to bring the female Rugby League side is just the next level for me, it is really exciting.
“Some of the girls that are coming in aren’t based in Sydney either, so it's that liaising with the community and getting to know us and what we are about and what the Sutherland Shire is,” Toogood said.
