Luke Lewis gets behind grassroots rugby league in Sydney’s west

Penrith Panthers captain and Western Sydney ambassador Luke Lewis has helped launch an exciting investment in our local community: the heartland of rugby league.

Lewis joined fellow ambassadors Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels) and Joel Reddy (Wests Tigers), along with NRL Welfare and Education Officer and former Bulldogs skipper Andrew Ryan, in launching a partnership between the NSWRL Western Sydney Community and Game Development Unit, and the nation’s leading energy retailer, Origin.

The partnership unveiled at Caddies Creek Public School in Glenwood, will help grow junior participation, establish new clubs, and increase the number of indigenous and multicultural coaches. The kids at Caddies Creek Public are among the thousands across Western Sydney who will benefit from the exciting new union.
New initiatives that will be undertaken in 2012 as a result of investment from Origin include:

Extended roll out of Nathan Hindmarsh’s junior development program – Hindy’s Primary Challenge – which encourages schools to participate in competitive Rugby League whilst also delivering positive health and well-being messages.

A partnership with Aboriginal Medical Services to engage in a healthy lifestyle program involving physical and healthy lifestyle education to Indigenous children and adults in the community.

A tree planting program in partnership with Greening Australia, Local Government Associations and Junior Rugby League Clubs across Western Sydney.
“Rugby League is such an integral part of the community in Western Sydney and

Origin is delighted to assist the Unit to ensure that more children from all backgrounds are able to participate in one of Australia’s favourite games,” said John Huggart, Energy Markets, Origin.

Origin’s sponsorship also includes naming rights of a number of local events and carnivals including the Origin NSW All Schools Knock Out (August 2012) and the Origin Harmony Cup Multicultural tournament (October 2012).
“
We are honoured to have a company like Origin join our corporate family,” said NSWRL General Manager, Mr Geoff Carr.

“Partnerships like this one will help further strengthen Rugby League’s place as the premier sporting code not only in Western Sydney, but in the state of New South Wales.”