Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Hindmarsh, Keith Galloway and Dave Taylor were among the NRL stars to pull on Santa hats and reindeer antlers today to bring some Christmas joy to 80 children from NRL Club and One Community charities at the fifth annual Sydney NRL Players’ Charity Christmas Party, hosted by Rugby League’s One Community.
More than 30 players from the nine Sydney NRL Clubs hosted a Christmas lunch and game of ten-pin bowling for the children from Camp Quality, the PCYC, Lifestart, the Exodus Foundation and Wollongong Hospital, followed by a special visit from Santa Claus.
“Today was a great opportunity for the kids and the players to get together and have some fun,” Parramatta’s Nathan Hindmarsh said.
“Bowling was a fantastic idea for this year’s event – the kids loved it, the players loved it and we all got to meet Santa at the end.”
Among this year’s guests were children from Camp Quality, with the Christmas Party capping off a year of the Rugby League community helping the charity.
Camp Quality carer, Eric Trad, said: “In 2010 alone Rugby League has done more for our Camp Quality children than any sport to date.”
“We are thrilled with the dedication of the NRL players, they have made a lasting impression with the children and definitely enriched their young lives.
“Of particular note is young Michael Dowsell who upon first meeting the Manly Sea Eagles players this year had a new lease on life.
“Today finishes an amazing year of support from Rugby League.”
The NRL Players’ Charity Christmas Parties will cap off a memorable year for Rugby League’s One Community which has seen NRL players spend in excess of 22,000 hours caring for and inspiring those in the community through activities including charity and hospital visits, school reading sessions, coaching clinics and junior carnivals.
Today’s event follows a successful event in Brisbane last week, with Melbourne and Canberra set to host similar Christmas Parties next Wednesday.
More than 30 players from the nine Sydney NRL Clubs hosted a Christmas lunch and game of ten-pin bowling for the children from Camp Quality, the PCYC, Lifestart, the Exodus Foundation and Wollongong Hospital, followed by a special visit from Santa Claus.
“Today was a great opportunity for the kids and the players to get together and have some fun,” Parramatta’s Nathan Hindmarsh said.
“Bowling was a fantastic idea for this year’s event – the kids loved it, the players loved it and we all got to meet Santa at the end.”
Among this year’s guests were children from Camp Quality, with the Christmas Party capping off a year of the Rugby League community helping the charity.
Camp Quality carer, Eric Trad, said: “In 2010 alone Rugby League has done more for our Camp Quality children than any sport to date.”
“We are thrilled with the dedication of the NRL players, they have made a lasting impression with the children and definitely enriched their young lives.
“Of particular note is young Michael Dowsell who upon first meeting the Manly Sea Eagles players this year had a new lease on life.
“Today finishes an amazing year of support from Rugby League.”
The NRL Players’ Charity Christmas Parties will cap off a memorable year for Rugby League’s One Community which has seen NRL players spend in excess of 22,000 hours caring for and inspiring those in the community through activities including charity and hospital visits, school reading sessions, coaching clinics and junior carnivals.
Today’s event follows a successful event in Brisbane last week, with Melbourne and Canberra set to host similar Christmas Parties next Wednesday.