Storm to score 'Points for a Purpose'

A player-driven initiative designed to raise money and awareness for a number of different charities across Australia has been announced today – giving Melbourne Storm’s home and away season even greater meaning.

The “Points with a Purpose” program will provide the Storm with greater incentive to produce an attacking brand of rugby league after being announced in Melbourne today.

The initiative was designed by the Storm’s senior leadership group in consultation with the Club and with tremendous support from News Limited.

Companies who have generously contributed to the charitable pool of funds include Channel Nine, Harvey Norman, Foxtel, Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, Fox Sports and the Herald and Weekly Times.

Already playing for their members, supporters, sponsors, Club staff and family, the players have now been given extra incentive, with the program to kick-off at AAMI Park this Sunday.

Under the “Points with a Purpose” program, each home game will be dedicated to a different charity, while all money raised from away games will be pooled together and presented to a selected charity at the end of the season.

The amount of money donated will be calculated using the following structure:
$3,000 for a Storm win
$1,500 for each try scored by a Storm player
$1,000 for each try conversion or penalty goal by a Storm player
$500 for each field goal scored by a Storm player

Money raised from the Storm’s on-field performances will be donated to a nominated charity at the conclusion of each home game, with a minimum of $5000 donated whether the team wins, loses or draws.

This Sunday’s clash (May 30) against the Bulldogs at AAMI Park will signal the start of “Points with a Purpose” program with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to be the inaugural recipients of the Storm’s match day donations.

The Foundation was set up in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged six and three, who were tragically killed with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur, Tasmania on April 28, 1996.

The Alannah and Madeline Foundation is a national charity protecting children from violence and its devastating effects. The Foundation cares for children who have experience or witnessed violence and run programs that prevent violence in the lives of children

Dr Judith Slocombe, CEO of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation is delighted to be the first charity involved with the “Points with a Purpose” program.

“Playing for charity is a wonderful idea and we’d like to thank the Melbourne Storm players for choosing The Alannah and Madeline Foundation for this Sunday’s match,” said Dr Slocombe.

“Violence against children is a significant problem in Australia. The support from Melbourne Storm will help raise awareness about this serious issue and assist the Foundation in our work to keep children safe from violence.”

Storm captain Cameron Smith said that the extra incentive provided by this program to his players for the remainder of the 2010 season would provide them with a timely boost.

“Despite not being able to play for premiership points this year, we had given an undertaking to our members, supporters, sponsors, staff, family members and each other that we would give 100 percent in every game we play in the purple colours of the Storm for the remainder of this year,” said Smith.

“The “Points with a Purpose” now provides us with an even greater incentive.

“We have a visible goal to aim for each and every week and that is to raise as much money as possible for charities that are close to the hearts of both the club and playing group.

“The more points we score, the more money we raise, so I dare say we’ll continue to play an entertaining style of rugby league for the remainder of the year.

“Not only will it be exciting to watch but it will also give us a greater chance of raising funds for charity.”

Based on 2010 statistics, the Storm will donate close to $150,000 to their selected charities over the remaining 14 games of the season.