http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...ew-faceofthegame/story-e6frf3ou-1226823976133
Phil Rothfield Sports Editor-at-Large
The Daily Telegraph
February 11, 2014 10:00PM
THE Sydney Roosters premiership-winning skipper Anthony Minichiello will enter his 14th and final season of rugby league as the NRLs new face-of-the-game.
The 33-year-old club legend will step into the poster-boy role that has become the curse of the code in recent times, jinxing superstars Ben Barba, Brett Stewart and Benji Marshall who all became embroiled in serious off-field dramas.
This time the NRL has taken the safe option, choosing a loyal one-club servant and much admired role model to step onto the stage at the season launch on February 26, alongside recently appointed ambassador Jessica Mauboy and 600 club members who have been invited for the first time.
Unlike the games previous ill-fated faces, Minichiello is settled and married to the glamorous Terry Biviano, who recently gave birth their first child, a daughter.
To have Mini step forward with a club member to launch the season on behalf of all players and fans is a deserved honour for a player who has given so much to our game, said NRL chief executive Dave Smith. Hes a great bloke and has been a wonderful ambassador for rugby league over many years. He has represented his state and country, he is a two-time premiership-winner and a premiership-winning captain, he is the Women in League Favourite Son and he has the respect of players, members and fans across the game.
The NRLs selection was also applauded last night by his coach Trent Robinson, who goes all the way back to 1997 when he played alongside Minichiello in the clubs Under 20s.
It was Robinson who made the decision last year to appoint Minichiello as skipper, replacing Braith Anasta. Behind the smiling face is the absolute competitor, Robinson said. He came through as a kid, enjoyed the good life, but understood footy had to come first. He worked very hard to overcome injuries and has grown into a man, a husband and now a father. And then the leadership that has come at the back end of his career. Its a very good move by the NRL when you look at his career in a snapshot.
For the first time, 600 NRL club members will be invited to attend the NRL season launch at the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island. It highlights the codes commitment to members and fans and the importance of the NRLs Youre The Difference advertising campaign. The ceremony will feature a player and member representing each NRL club on stage together to highlight the relationship that exists between NRL teams and their most loyal supporters. While they are all on stage, Minichiello will come forward with a Roosters member to speak on behalf of all players. NRL Clubs will be announcing their player and member representatives who will be on stage for the launch over the next few weeks.
Smith emphasised the importance of members involvement. This is the first time the games members and fans will have played such a significant role, he said. They support the game week in week out and this is a way for the game to show its support of them.
Everyone has hopes of winning the premiership at the start of the season so it is fitting we will have all 16 clubs and our members and fans represented on stage together to kick-off the season.
The membership campaign has been the focal point of the NRLs pre-season advertising.
As opposed to the usual branding commercials that feature the big hits, shoulder charges and on-field action, the advertising has been designed to directly target areas of strategic growth and fan participation. This week the NRL also launched its participation campaign featuring the Eels Jarryd Hayne and Roosters Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and players from a host of junior clubs. It was filmed across several locations in Sydney and featured junior clubs including the Blacktown PCYC, The Hills Hawks, The Hills Bulls, Wentworthville 13, The Hills Tigers, Manly Touch Football Club, Bankstown Jets and the Greystanes Devils.
Phil Rothfield Sports Editor-at-Large
The Daily Telegraph
February 11, 2014 10:00PM
THE Sydney Roosters premiership-winning skipper Anthony Minichiello will enter his 14th and final season of rugby league as the NRLs new face-of-the-game.
The 33-year-old club legend will step into the poster-boy role that has become the curse of the code in recent times, jinxing superstars Ben Barba, Brett Stewart and Benji Marshall who all became embroiled in serious off-field dramas.
This time the NRL has taken the safe option, choosing a loyal one-club servant and much admired role model to step onto the stage at the season launch on February 26, alongside recently appointed ambassador Jessica Mauboy and 600 club members who have been invited for the first time.
Unlike the games previous ill-fated faces, Minichiello is settled and married to the glamorous Terry Biviano, who recently gave birth their first child, a daughter.
To have Mini step forward with a club member to launch the season on behalf of all players and fans is a deserved honour for a player who has given so much to our game, said NRL chief executive Dave Smith. Hes a great bloke and has been a wonderful ambassador for rugby league over many years. He has represented his state and country, he is a two-time premiership-winner and a premiership-winning captain, he is the Women in League Favourite Son and he has the respect of players, members and fans across the game.
The NRLs selection was also applauded last night by his coach Trent Robinson, who goes all the way back to 1997 when he played alongside Minichiello in the clubs Under 20s.
It was Robinson who made the decision last year to appoint Minichiello as skipper, replacing Braith Anasta. Behind the smiling face is the absolute competitor, Robinson said. He came through as a kid, enjoyed the good life, but understood footy had to come first. He worked very hard to overcome injuries and has grown into a man, a husband and now a father. And then the leadership that has come at the back end of his career. Its a very good move by the NRL when you look at his career in a snapshot.
For the first time, 600 NRL club members will be invited to attend the NRL season launch at the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island. It highlights the codes commitment to members and fans and the importance of the NRLs Youre The Difference advertising campaign. The ceremony will feature a player and member representing each NRL club on stage together to highlight the relationship that exists between NRL teams and their most loyal supporters. While they are all on stage, Minichiello will come forward with a Roosters member to speak on behalf of all players. NRL Clubs will be announcing their player and member representatives who will be on stage for the launch over the next few weeks.
Smith emphasised the importance of members involvement. This is the first time the games members and fans will have played such a significant role, he said. They support the game week in week out and this is a way for the game to show its support of them.
Everyone has hopes of winning the premiership at the start of the season so it is fitting we will have all 16 clubs and our members and fans represented on stage together to kick-off the season.
The membership campaign has been the focal point of the NRLs pre-season advertising.
As opposed to the usual branding commercials that feature the big hits, shoulder charges and on-field action, the advertising has been designed to directly target areas of strategic growth and fan participation. This week the NRL also launched its participation campaign featuring the Eels Jarryd Hayne and Roosters Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and players from a host of junior clubs. It was filmed across several locations in Sydney and featured junior clubs including the Blacktown PCYC, The Hills Hawks, The Hills Bulls, Wentworthville 13, The Hills Tigers, Manly Touch Football Club, Bankstown Jets and the Greystanes Devils.
