Dear Manly Sea Eagles,
On behalf of the New South Wales Police Force Youth Command and PCYC Northern Beaches I would like to thank you all for allowing the ‘Beaches Kids High On Life’ Police Program the opportunity to attend the Manly Sea Eagles training session at the Narrabeen Academy of Sport on Tuesday the 5th of December 2017.
The program was created to inform and educate youth on the Northern Beaches about the risks and consequences of drug and alcohol consumption whilst counteracting those issues by promoting a healthy lifestyle and becoming advocates amongst their peers.
After eight weeks of partaking within morning boxing for fitness sessions, team sports and being educated about the risks and consequences of drug and alcohol consumption, 8 participants successfully made it through the program and were rewarded by being invited to the graduation day which included a visit to a Manly Sea Eagles training session.
It was agreed by all involved within the program that providing the participants with an opportunity to watch the Manly Sea Eagles train, meet the players and have photographs and signatures was a fitting way to end the program. This experience provided the participants with an opportunity to watch players who had made it to the top of their trade and understanding the determination required to reach their goals whilst having to make sacrifices along the way. This reiterated one of the program objectives which involved the participants setting goals and planning on how to reach set goals.
I would like to thank Quentin Pongia for his continued support throughout the program and for allowing the program the opportunity to attend the Manly Sea Eagles training session. I would also like to thank Gareth Holmes and Wayne Cousins for their hospitality throughout the visit, as well as all the players who gave up their time to speak with the program participants as well as the photograph and signature opportunities.
The New South Wales Police Force Youth Command and PCYC Northern Beaches endeavor to include the Manly Sea Eagles within future Police Youth Programs.
Kind regards,
Senior Constable Mark Bursa
NSW Police Force
Youth Command
Northern Beaches PCYC