If the numbers are anything to go by, there sure is a lot of love for Wests Tigers in South Western Sydney.
The club has been busy over the past few weeks planning and executing a schedule of community events in the lead up to Christmas, many of which are in the Macarthur region.
More than 400 supporters turned out last Thursday night for a meet the players session at Narellan Town Centre.
The 2023 playing squad and coaching staff were in attendance, along with several Wests Tigers office staff.
Assistant coach Benji Marshall remains as popular as ever in the Macarthur region.
One lady, who has been supporting the club for 55 years, was overcome with emotion after meeting Benji.
“I waited 22 years to get a photo with Benji and I finally got it, I just can’t believe it,” she said.
Another supporter asked Benji to outline his autograph as neatly as possible on her forearm so that she could have it inked by a tattoo artist nearby.
Marshall says he was stoked to see so many supporters at the event.
“It’s a fresh start for this group as we embark on a new season and I could feel the excitement in the area,” he said.
“There is clearly a lot of love for this club and as a squad we got a huge buzz out of it.”
Earlier that day the team trained at St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown, and again the welcome was a warm one.
Coach Tim Sheens, who was school captain at St Greg’s in the late sixties, says it’s important for the club to build on its strong relationship with the school.
“It was great to have a session at St Greg’s and I know our players enjoyed being there,” Sheens said.
“The school has developed so many players over the years who have gone on to play at NRL level.
“It continues to be a very important part of our pathways planning in the southwest of Sydney.”
Later this week Wests Tigers will continue its annual Christmas Toy Drive, with players and staff visiting Liverpool and Bowral Hospitals.
Joe Ofahengaue and Alex Seyfarth spread some Christmas cheer at Campbelltown Hospital last week, visiting children and parents in the maternity and paediatric wards.
Wests Tigers also hosted its first Unite Harmony Festival last Friday at Kirkham Oval, Camden.
Unite Harmony is the club’s flagship high school community program in Sydney’s Inner West, South Western Sydney and Southern Highlands regions.
Community engagement coordinator, Kenneth Tuala says the program has been delivered to 30 schools since its inception two years ago.
“It’s about delivering positive messages and themes through the platform of rugby league,” he said.
The club continued to engage with the Macarthur community at last weekend’s popular Rocking Around Campbelltown Christmas convoy.
