Parramatta Eels get to work in The Hills
28 Nov, 2011 03:02 PM
The Parramatta Eels were given a reality check in The Hills last week and sent out to work on construction, landscaping and car washing sites.Eels coach Stephen Kearney showed no mercy by putting his players on a week long working program which included two two daily training sessions.
Team captain Nathan Hindmarsh said the gruelling schedule was ‘‘a real eye opener’’ for a lot of guys.
“For a lot of us, full time training has been our lives and we’ve never had to work a normal job,” Hindmarsh said.
Hindmarsh explained the ‘‘Back to Work’’ program is an opportunity for the Eels to sample the everyday working lives some of their fans have.
“Our supporters work hard every day and are the ones buying the tickets to see us play – they’re the lifeblood of our game,’’ Hindmarsh said.
Star players Jarryd Hayne, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah and Nathan Hindmarsh were rewarded for their efforts on the building site with a white card certification.
The white card enables these players to work on building sites after completing the necessary safety awarenes training.
Eels education officer Kevin Wise said the program will help some players gain the qualifications they need when their careers end.
“We’ve got a number of guys [already] working in [different] industries,’’ Wise said.
National Youth Cup player Peni Terepo is working as an apprentice butcher in Greenacre, while prop forward Justin Poore works as a plumber.