Hogs For The Homeless Returns

True Blues legends Brad Fittler, Nathan Hindmarsh, Steve Menzies and Danny Buderus will re-turf a Rugby League pitch at Walgett and hand out more than 3000 footballs to girls and boys in 14 country towns in 10 days as part of the NSWRL’s annual Hogs For The Homeless (H4H) tour starting next week.

Starting on Friday week (17 February), the former Origin greats will ride their Harley Davidson motorbikes far and wide throughout NSW to raise funds for Father Chris Riley’s Youth off the Streets, while helping to drive Junior Rugby League membership and participation in 2017.

The H4H crew, also consisting of NSW Origin representatives Josh Perry, Steve Roach, Paul Sironen, Tim Brasher and Ian Schubert, will also run Rugby League clinics across schools and local clubs in remote passionate Rugby League communities from Wagga Wagga to Coffs Harbour.

Since its inception in 2013, Hogs For The Homeless has raised more than $450,000 for Youth off the Streets, with this year’s tour also raising much-needed funds for Rugby League clubs.

The H4H crew raise money through auctions and raffle tickets, with the first prize winner to receive a 2017 XL 1200CX Roadster Harley-Davidson valued at $19,495.

Fittler, a long-time supporter of Father Chris Riley’s Youth off the Streets, hopes to inspire community regions in NSW as he prepares for his fifth Hogs For The Homeless journey.

“The Hogs For The Homeless tour is such a rewarding experience and it’s something I look forward to every year,” Fittler said.

“To give back to the community, not only in a football sense, but to help out those who are less fortunate is such a gratifying feeling.

"Sometimes the simple things like meeting people, saying hello and having a conversation can go a long way to inspiring them.

“People in remote NSW communities have so many great stories to share and it’s unbelievably humbling to put a smile on their faces.”

The touring party will make their first appearance next Saturday (11 February) at Central Coast Harley before leaving as a group from Sydney’s Concord Harley on Friday week.

A sponsor dinner will be held on the eve of their journey on Thursday (16 February) at Terrey Hills Tavern, where a representative from the Parramatta and Manly NRL sides are expected to join the crew in the lead-up to their highly anticipated season-opener at Brookvale Oval.

The riders are expected to travel more than 4000km, making stops in 14 country towns including Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Walgett.

As well as running Rugby League clinics at every stop, the H4H crew will attend a number of Rugby League tournaments, including three all-girls nines tournaments, the annual Army v Navy Rugby League match in Bellingen and help the town of Walgett re-turf an entire Rugby League pitch, with almost $150,000 in materials and labour being donated.

The tour will conclude on Monday, 27 February.

2017 Hogs For The Homeless Tour Itinerary:

Please note this is basic overview of the H4H schedule and is subject to change. Further details will be provided prior to each media opportunity.