Arthur Beetson Family Fun Day

The Sydney Roosters NAIDOC Week celebrations continued on the Central Coast.

'The Arthur Beetson Family Fun Day' is a Sydney Roosters NAIDOC event for the Indigenous community on the Central Coast, and is designed to bring together families, local service providers, community partners and Roosters players for a NAIDOC celebration.

Using the power of Rugby League, the interactive day saw over 200 attendees gather for games, cultural celebrations, dance, and talks on key messages such as health, the importance of sleep, hydration, healthy food choice and keeping active.

Roosters players Simaima Taufa, Taleena Simon, Chloe Caldwell, and Bernie Lewis used the celebration as an opportunity to discuss community, identity, culture, the importance of family.

The players also spoke about the theme of this year's NAIDOC week "Because of her we can," which celebrates the essential role women continue to play as active and significant role models at the community, local, state and national levels.

Bernie Lewis said he enjoys connecting with other community groups.

"The Arthur Beetson Family Day provided the opportunity for players such as myself to celebrate our culture with the young people here on the Central Coast. I like getting out and meeting with people who are doing great work around the communities."

"It was an opportunity to also recognise the role that women play in our community, especially the role that my own mother and grandmother have played in supporting me throughout my life."

The Arthur Beetson Family Fun Day also provided an opportunity for the Roosters Club to acknowledge past and present Women leaders from the local community.

Local service providers were on hand during the day, including the Glen Centre- Central Coast Drug Alcohol Rehabilitation who performed a traditional dance and Acknowledgement of Country, Yerin Medical Services offered free medical advice and wellbeing information, Bungree Aboriginal Corporate Services conducted arts and crafts stall for young people, and Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Lane Council conducted activities for young people with traditional Aboriginal artefacts.

Roosters Community Sponsor Ward Civil were also on hand to provide breakfast and lunch on the day.

The Sydney Roosters would like to thank everyone involved in the day and for making it a great success!