Souths Cares has continued their terrific work with local communities, accompanying the playing group and staff down to Albury, visiting local high schools in tandem with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), as well as Albury Base Hospital and local side Albury Thunder’s Season Launch.
In conjunction with UNSW, Souths Cares visited a number of high schools on Friday afternoon, including Albury High, where students were educated on the topic of ‘Gratitude’, with Thomas Burgess, Yileen Gordon and Nathan Merritt in attendance as speakers.
Merritt, the Club’s all-time record try-scorer, said the experience was unlike any other, and was pleased to see the Club give Albury the full South Sydney experience both on and off the field.
Nathan MerrittThe kids were pretty good today, they were interactive, it took about half a minute little bit to get them going but once they did they really got involved.
“We were here with Souths Cares at Albury High School to talk to the students about a key component we have called ‘Gratitude’,” Merritt explained.
“We spoke about a bit of life experience of where we come from and things we are grateful of each day which leads back to the idea of Gratitude. The kids were pretty good today, they were interactive, it took about half a minute little bit to get them going but once they did they really got involved.
“It’s great being here in Albury and spreading the Rabbitoh Way and giving back to the community.
“The hospital visit and the Albury Thunder season launch were enjoyable, especially with getting the Rabbitohs message across, and just providing for these communities. They don’t get many opportunities and exposure to see their NRL heroes so I thought it was a real success.”
UNSW representatives Cameron Farity and Nigel Craig were on hand at the high schools to educate students on pathways to tertiary education at UNSW, and were pleased with both the event and the new partnerships made with Souths Cares.
“We’re looking to build a community around UNSW and building a relationship with South Sydney,” said Mr Farity.
“Sport is a great way to build relationships and that’s why we’re looking to build a partnership with Souths Cares. We’ll be going to Mudgee in a few weeks as well doing similar stuff, which is what we’re hoping to build a long relationship with the Club.
“We were giving the kids a summary of UNSW and entry pathways particularly relevant for the kids in regional and rural areas, including the scholarships. The message was that going to UNSW in Sydney was an achievable goal despite pre-conceived ideas of it not being possible.
Cameron FaritySport is a great way to build relationships and that’s why we’re looking to build a partnership with Souths Cares. We’ll be going to Mudgee in a few weeks as well doing similar stuff, which is what we’re hoping to build a long relationship with the Club.
“Nigel was talking more about Indigenous Access Pathways, he primarily looks after Indigenous kids looking to get into university and introducing them to support programs to understand what it’s like to go to university. We also provide flexible study arrangements for our elite athletes, so they can get a degree while they’re training.
“The response from the kids was really good, we had a lot of follow up questions and interest so it was a great success and we look forward to working with Souths Cares in the future and we think it’s a great opportunity to work with the community.”
Souths Cares will continue community visits when the Club visits Mudgee for the Charity Shield in two weeks time.
