Created by Bennelong Energy Services (BES) three years ago, this year more than 30 NRL School to Work and Souths Cares Nanga Mai Marri program graduates participated in the annual Bennelong Cup on Friday 14 February 2020.
Fourteen teams, a total of 168 players, took the field for the Cup. Following the games, a luncheon was held at Souths Juniors and attended by over 280 people and was a chance to celebrate student achievements and introduce graduates to future employers, as well as rub shoulders with rugby league greats.
“Facilities and project management companies have embraced the opportunity to find employment opportunities for Indigenous students. Several apprenticeships including plumbing, carpentry and a project management trainee role have been offered. BES also recently employed our fourth Indigenous apprentice.” Said our BES Co-Director Gaven Sheehan. Several new apprenticeships and traineeships were awarded to the 2019 program graduates by BGIS. Past student Maddi Parr, who is now working at Evolve FM, spoke about how she benefited from the NRL School to Work program. Special guest Des Hasler shared his experience working with Indigenous footballers.
The event raised more than $25,000 for the Indigenous charities Souths Cares and Cowboy House, as well as the government-funded NRL School to Work program