Club Captain Anthony Minichiello’s outstanding work in the local community has been recognised at the highest level after the retiring fullback was today unveiled as the Club’s Ken Stephens Medal nomination for the 2014 NRL season.
This prestigious community accolade recognises the efforts of an NRL player who has not only achieved on the field, but most importantly has committed time off the field to community projects.
Last year alone Minichiello spent over 100 hours in the local community supporting both through the Club and his own initiatives.
His dedication and passion for leading a healthy lifestyle and working with children has seen him commit significant amounts of his time to starting 'Minifit', his own initiative which aims to educate children about the benefits of a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle.
“I'm passionate about working with kids to teach them the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and the role diet and exercise play in our long term health and wellbeing,” Minichiello said.
Also the face of the 'Roosters Against Racism' program, Minichiello works with schools and sporting clubs in the Eastern Suburbs to educate them about the importance of multiculturalism.
Minichiello was also the face of this year's Multicultural Festival organised by Waverley City Council.
“Having now spent a considerable amount of my life living in the Eastern Suburbs, I feel it's important to give back to a community that has given me so much.”
Keen to use his profile to raise awareness for important issues, Minichiello also lends his support to White Ribbon and participated in last year’s White Ribbon Walk to stop violence against women.
Dedicated to give back to the game that has given him so much, he also regularly attends the club’s Holiday Clinics, our local Nippers at Eastern Suburbs beaches and visits the Roosters Junior League clubs promoting participation in the game.
Widely known across the game, Minichiello is as an inspirational leader off the field as he is on it and spends his spare time working with the Club to deliver leadership seminars to secondary school pupils and is a mentor to many young disadvantaged Roosters Fans whom he has connected with over the ages and maintained relationships with to this day.
“Rugby League has allowed me to achieve so much, so I feel it's important to use that success to help others.”
To vote for Minichiello in this year’s Ken Stephens Medal CLICK HERE
Online voting is now open and closes at MIDNIGHT Wednesday, 10 September.
