St George Illawarra’s Chase Stanley is inspiring troubled youths in a ‘Footy Fever’ community partnership that is helping teenagers turn their lives around.
Stanley was today named the One Community Good Guy of the Month for August in recognition of his work as a mentor to teenagers who have been young offenders or youth at risk though truancy, suspension, domestic and behavioural issues.
Stanley has been involved in the Footy Fever Program, run by St George PCYC in partnership with the Dragons Community and Development program, for the past two years.
“Chase is someone that young people in the program can turn to for advice, for a joke, for footy tips and as a friend,” said Senior Constable Amy Brewis, from St George PCYC.
“Chase has had more of an impact on them than many people may realise and the relationship he has built with them is extremely important in working with young people to stay on the straight and narrow.
“It has been a pleasure having Chase on the Footy Fever Program as an inspiring young mentor.”
Stanley’s work is also inspiring his team-mates to become involved in the program.
“I remember dropping Chase off last year and I saw the bond he had with the kids and could tell he was so excited to come down each week, I thought it would be a great thing to be part of,” said Dragons team-mate Jason Nightingale.
NRL Director, Community Relations, Trish Crews, said: “For someone as a young as Chase to be making such a difference to people’s lives is a credit to him and reflects his passion for an important community program.”
Stanley joins Jamie Simpson (Rabbitohs), Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs), Justin Carney (Raiders), Greg Inglis (Storm) and Nick Kenny (Broncos) as 2009 recipients of the One Community Good Guy of the Month award, which acknowledges the inspiring work NRL players are doing in the community throughout the season.
As the Good Guy of the Month, Stanley will receive two nights’ accommodation plus breakfast for 2 at the Holiday Inn Darling Harbour courtesy of IHG.