Rugby League Unites for One Community
08.12.06 09:04
NRL stars have been blown away by the reaction of the Children invited to the NRL Christmas party and launch of One Community at Sydneys famous Luna Park.
One Community is the new initiative bringing the entire rugby league fraternity together to make a positive difference to peoples lives.
More than 100 children were on hand for the opening on My Clubhouse to receive the hundreds of presents provided by Santa from the NRL Mascot range, but were more excited to meet the Mascots, and of course the Football stars themselves!
New Parramatta recruit Brett Finch was popular with the young fans and he says he was blown away by the atmosphere at the party.
Its fantastic! I think its a good reminder how much of an influence we have on young people, its tough at times when you just want to be left alone and not be a role model, but youve really got to accept today the reaction from the young kids, and not so young. Its just amazing to see the effect you have on them; its fantastic what the sport does.
We were all kids once and you remember how happy you were when you met your idol so to put a smile on a kids face is something really special.
The Children at the party were mainly representatives of the 4 Charities that One Community will form a partnership in 2007.
The Childrens Hospital Foundation Australia, Lifeline, Youngcare and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Finch says the idea to harness support from all levels of the game will provide a formidable approach.
Rugby League is the number one sport on the East Coast of Australia and its a massive sport so if we all get behind something and push in one direction we can make a lot of noise and do great things for people in need.
Bulldogs favourite Hazem El Masri, himself a father of 3, says the double purpose of the day reminded the players about the important things in life.
We all remember being kids and looking up to our heroes and if we got a high five out of them we would go home and be smiling for days so its the same for us and we try to help out as much as we can.
In the season of goodwill all of the players present loved the chance to mix with the kids and sample the rides of Luna Park with them and St.George Illawarra halfback Matthew Head spoke for them all when he said he was glad to be a part of One Community.
This is what its all about you see the kids here today happy but we can do things for others too and its good to get all the players and clubs involved to work together. Families are the most important thing and I think well all go away today with a smile on our face, thinking of our families and how we might be able to help others.
One Community will support the four charities in 2007 in a series of ways including the use to Sundays match of the day to promote their cause.
My Clubhouse the new home of the NRL Mascots is now open for families at Luna Park.
