The Penrith Panthers Holden Cup team participated in the NRL Rookie Camp at UWS Hawkesbury on the 13-14th December.
The camp is the first step in helping the boys make the most of opportunities that lie ahead both on and off the field.
It is a chance to understand the demands, the challenges and the rewards that come with a professional Rugby League career and a chance to appreciate the critical role education and employment will play in all our players reaching their goals.
Over the two day camp they boys heard from former and current players and a number of leading experts who were all there to assist them in making the most of the opportunities that being a part of the Holden Cup Panthers side would provide them. Guest presenters included Brett Kimmorley, Andrew Ryan, Nigel Vagana, Tony Caine, Mick Buettner, Alan Tongue, Dean Halatau, Matt Geyer, Trent Merrin and guest speakers from the State and Federal Police.
The Holden Cup has set a new standard in the development of athletes in Australian professional sport and being selected to go as part of the Panthers cohort was an honour for the boys.
The sessions they attended and took part in included: Respectful Relations, Indigenous Awareness and Pasifika Awareness, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Careerwise a Career Development Session, Finance and Budgeting, Gambling awareness, Personal Brand and Leadership and theatre sports.
Each session was underpinned by these key messages - Never Assume, Communicate, Show Respect, Think Before you Act and Get a Balance.
At Panthers we take the boys off field lives in education and employment very seriously, and see the value in them being well rounded, productive members of the community and we are proud of all our Rookie Camp participants for 2015.
