Cronulla Sharks keep the spirit of Kokoda alive
Proud KTF ambassadors Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are keeping the spirit of Kokoda alive, taking to the field in a specially-designed jersey in their annual Kokoda Challenge match against the Canberra Raiders on Thursday, 13 June.
For the third year in succession, the Sharks will play in a specially-designed Kokoda jersey in their annual Kokoda Challenge match, continuing their support of KTF and in recognition of those who fought and sacrificed in Papua New Guinea during World War II.
The jersey, which features an image of Australian troops looking across the Owen Stanley Range on the Kokoda Track is just one aspect of the jersey. The jersey also has the four values of leadership which were forged on the Kokoda Track - Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice. The KTF logo is proudly part of the iconic design.
The Sharks’ ongoing support extends beyond the annual match and jersey, with the 2019 Archer Leaders hosted at Sharks headquarters earlier this week.
Led by KTF CEO Genevieve Nelson, eight PNG final year university students received a tour of the Sharks facilities, meeting and interacting with the NRL playing group, with Captain Paul Gallen proving popular.
The visit was an inspirational part of the Archers annual Leadership Exchange program which will see the delegation visit Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane over the next two weeks.
“The Archer Leaders represent our hope for the future and the next generation of leaders for Papua New Guinea,” Dr Nelson said. “The exchange program connects them with leaders from all walks of life – corporate, government and not-for-profit and explores challenging social issues facing both our countries.
“We are so thrilled to have had the opportunity for our Archer Leaders to meet our ambassadors, the Cronulla Sharks, who are considered heroes back home in PNG.”
The relationship between the Sharks and KTF has grown from a group of players and staff from the club walking the Kokoda Track in October of 2017, installing solar lighting to households in villages along the way as part of our inaugural Village Connect trip.
Jayden Brailey and Kyle Flanagan were members of the Sharks group to walk the track in 2017, later describing the experience to be inspirational and rewarding.
We find the players and staff at the Sharks an inspiration and are incredibly proud of our continued partnership.