When the Cessnock Minor Rugby League Committee met recently to discuss the best way to spend the $2000 Steeden Voucher they’d been awarded as NSWRL Community Club of the Year, member Damian Bultitude pitched an idea that immediately resonated with everyone.
“Why don’t we share it with some clubs that really need it?”
The resolution received unanimous support and Cessnock Minor Rugby League President Jamie Perrin can still recall the stunned looks from the representatives of the clubs they settled on – Dungog, Greta Branxton and Mallabula – when it was announced at the presentation night for Hunter Junior Rugby League.
“It was a surprise on the night to them and it went down really well,” Perrin told nswrl.com.au.
“I was actually surprised at the reaction of the clubs, and you can tell that they really needed it.
“As soon as we talked to the clubs, we knew we had done the right thing.”
Perrin said Cessnock Minor Rugby League was also humbled to win the NSWRL Community Club of the Year Award and said it reflected the hard work that had been put in by everyone connected with the club.
One of the initiatives they have implemented which has had a positive impact is a youth-driven mentoring program driven by teenage players. The scheme pairs experienced players with new and inexperienced players and has helped with recruitment and retention.
“We just thought it was a really good idea to get our kids who have been there a while to help our new kids coming through,” Perrin said.
“We’d like to think that’s helping us build a community environment within the club that we hope one they will strive to play seniors at Cessnock.
“We’ve had a lot of growth in terms of women’s participation – which is across the whole game at the moment – but we’ve also increased our participation in the male sector.
“We’ve also tried to be a good community partner this year and we’ve given away nearly $9000 to charities, and smaller clubs, and families at clubs that are doing it a bit tough.
“We’re just trying to be a club that people and sponsors want to be involved with, and people can be proud to be associated with.”
Former junior players and NRL Newcastle Knights players Brodie Jones and Fletcher Sharpe have also played their part, turning up whenever asked by club officials to help with ‘Come Try Me’ days, jersey presentations and other events.
“I also feel that they’re a big part of the growth at our club because they see their heroes with just normal people helping out,” Perrin said.
“Fletcher turned up with his car sponsor and had a whole ute of footy boots and gave them out to our kids.
“It was just unbelievable.”
