Sia Soliola 2019 Winner /

Our 2019 Ken Stephen Medallist is Canberra Raiders' Sia Soliola - a champion on and off the field!

Sia is the consummate club professional in his understanding and dedication to promoting both the game of rugby league and the Canberra Raiders. He understands his role both as a club leader where he is often referred to in the media as the “spiritual leader” and someone who brings the internal values of the Raiders to life.

As part of his club commitments, Sia has been involved in an extensive range of activities including Shave for a Cure, NRLD School Holiday Clinic and McHappy Day.

Sia works each Monday (even after a heavy game the day before) in the Early Morning Centre’s Soup Kitchen as his commitment to improving the lives of people who experience homelessness.This is an extension to Sia’s work raising money through the Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout and has been an on-going commitment for more than three years.

Sia has a long-term associations with a range of charitable organisations. He is a well-known ambassador for children with Angelman’s Syndrome - an association which began during his time playing in the UK. He also works with Kulture Break that uses the performing arts to assist disadvantaged children. The Raiders have had a long-standing relationship with Menslink, an organisation that specialises in counselling at-risk young men which Sia has become an ambassador for and he’s also the face of the Silence is Deadly program.

Apart from the breadth of Sia’s involvement in areas outside of his Raiders commitments, it is the long-term commitment he has made to many programs which demonstrates that his dedication goes well beyond any passing fad or box-ticking exercise.