An auction of the NSW Blues jerseys from Game One of this year’s Ampol State of Origin series will lead to a specialised female youth worker being employed at the RuffTRACK dog farm next year.
Ahead of Game One in Sydney in 2022, head coach Brad Fittler, captain James Tedesco and the players visited RuffTRACK at Riverstone in Sydney’s north-west to speak with the teenagers, share stories and activities.
They then auctioned their jerseys, which raised $16,000 for the program. A cheque was presented to the organisation last Friday at their Christmas party.
Co-founder and manager Dave Graham said the money would be used to help young women with about 40 per cent of the intake for 2023 – based on applications received so far – being female.
“Up until now we’ve been around five to 10 per cent female so we will need some specialised female social workers,” Graham said.
RuffTRACK has around 50 teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds pass through its doors each year. They work with the dogs to encourage communication and self-worth skills.
The Westpac NSW Blues team mascot, Bruce the Blue Healer, has been a resident at RuffTRACK since 2020.
“As two species, humans and dogs have been working together for at least 15,000 years,” Graham said.
“When you have such a lengthy shared history, there is a special relationship, a special bond.
“When an animal choses you, it makes you feel valued. The dog looks into their eyes and says ‘I’m here for you’ and ‘I need you.’
“That’s the beauty of every interaction our kids have with our dogs. It puts our young people in a position of power, of responsibility, of care and leadership.”
Graham said the connection with Westpac NSW Blues going forward was an important and rewarding one.
“Goals are everything,” Graham said.
“We teach our kids every day to set a goal – and it could be something simple like what you want to do in the next five minutes.
“To have the NSW Blues guys come to the farm, and for us to get to the games, there’s a constant reminder for the kids that they can achieve whatever they want.
“Some of the Blues guys have been through our program, or had some troubles of their own when they were younger.
“The message is, ‘Go that bit harder, try that bit more, but whatever you do just give it a good go.’
“The Blues players reinforce that every year.”
