Melbourne Storm to play for charity money for rest of 2010 season

[El Diablo]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/n...t-of-2010-season/story-e6frfgbo-1225872290015

Melbourne Storm to play for charity money for rest of 2010 season

* Russell Gould
* From: Herald Sun
* May 28, 2010 12:00AM

MELBOURNE Storm's motivation to win has been reignited by the potential to raise more than $150,000 for charity during the remainder of the NRL season.

Storm can't play for premiership points, but a player-driven initiative has put the focus back on winning under the "Points with a Purpose" campaign.

Every win, try and goal scored by Storm players in the remaining 14 games of this season will earn selected charities between $1500 and $3000.

Should Storm continue the form it has shown in recent contests, the total could exceed $150,000 by season's end.

The idea was first raised in the leadership group the day after the club was penalised for salary cap breaches as players tried to find some meaning for their season.

Pride in the jumper has been the biggest motivation so far, but there was no certainty that would last for the next three months.

Now a different charity will be picked as beneficiary for each of Storm's remaining eight home games.

The pool of money raised in away games will be given to a selected charity when the season finishes.

The players were briefed on the final details of the plan yesterday and gave it a resounding thumbs up.

"We didn't just want something to play for, but we thought someone needed to benefit from what we did for the rest of the year," said Brett White, one of the Storm players behind the idea.

"The club and the players are rapt to be able to do that. We are going to be able to do some good things for some charities and have a feel-good year.

"And the more points we score, the more money we raise - so we'll have some fun, too."

Fans will be able to keep up with the team's charity contributions with updates to be posted on the big screens at the new AAMI Park.

Storm has enlisted the help of several companies - including Channel Nine, Harvey Norman, the Herald and Weekly Times, Foxtel, Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust and Fox Sports - to contribute to the pool of charitable funds.

The program will begin with this Sunday's clash against the Bulldogs at AAMI Park, with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation the first charity to benefit.

The players will meet each week to decide on the next beneficiary.

 

[El Diablo]

finally they do some good

 

[natheel]

this is a good idea. good on u melbourne at least u save a LITTLE face with this initiative

 

[Red Bear]

nice to see

 

[Gregbyday]

Great idea, well done Melbourne. Melbourne starting show the true spirit of being involved in the Rugby League community.

Well done to all involved and keep it up. With an attitude like this being displayed, I for one am looking foward to them competing and rejoining the comp as a comptitor for the tittle next year once their penance has been paid.

 

[Eels Dude]

Call me a cynic, but this sounds more like a gimmick for the Storm to win back some credibility. At least they're giving to charity to though so commend em for that. Perhaps the overpaid players should also donate their overpayed cash to charity also. That way instead of giving a maximum 150k to charity they'd be giving a couple of million.

 

[Gregbyday]

No pleasing some I guess. But it is a step in the right direction.
So much good is done for the greater community under the Rugby League banner that goes unreported. Where AFL say they give to selcted charities, when in fact they do with their "charity" money is give to the AFL grass roots and call it charity.

Big difference and well done once again.

 

[Joffa]

Will the Storm players be using their dirty money to contribute to the charity?

 

[MsStorm]

Call me a cynic, but this sounds more like a gimmick for the Storm to win back some credibility. At least they're giving to charity to though so commend em for that. Perhaps the overpaid players should also donate their overpayed cash to charity also. That way instead of giving a maximum 150k to charity they'd be giving a couple of million.

You are a cynic.

This idea was thrown around a couple of days after the news broke on the salary cap issues.

Why don't you wait until the audit is finished before making disparaging comments about player payments unless you have some inside info from Deloittes.

 

[MsStorm]

Call me a cynic, but this sounds more like a gimmick for the Storm to win back some credibility. At least they're giving to charity to though so commend em for that. Perhaps the overpaid players should also donate their overpayed cash to charity also. That way instead of giving a maximum 150k to charity they'd be giving a couple of million.

You are a cynic.

This idea was thrown around a couple of days after the news broke on the salary cap issues.

Why don't you wait until the audit is finished before making disparaging comments about player payments unless you have some inside info from Deloittes.

 

[ozbash]

face saving excercise from a club that crapped on its fans...

comparable to Willie Mason donating his MOM cheque to the ADT foundation...

 

[kia ora storm]

Good move by Storm...not much more they can do really.

 

[eagles4eva]

Any dollar given to charities is a good thing

 

[Cammo]

Great move from The Storm, the club should be applauded for anything they do for charity and to give the fans something to cheer for this season is a good thing

Bad move from those who are still bashing The Storm despite them trying things like this - but I guess some ppl will always be precious twats

 

[Stagger eel]

well done storm...

 

[bobmar28]

Good on the Storm. Now the players have something to play for.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

Good idea,hopefully they can win all there games except there round 13 clash with the Eels

 

[Phil McGrawhan]

Will the Storm players be using their dirty money to contribute to the charity?

Finally something good comes out of this mess & cretins like you have to see the negative side...
Well done Storm.

 

[petetheileet]

Money to Charity...awesome...good on the sponsors getting behind it!

Channel Nine, Harvey Norman, the Herald and Weekly Times, Foxtel, Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust and Fox Sports...props to u all!

 

[Eelementary]

finally they do some good

Yes...But imagine the poor team that belts them 50-nil - they'll be seen as monsters for not letting them contribute to charity. :sarcasm:

It's a nice initiative, sure - but don't lose sight of the fact it's a simple exercise in PR to save some face...