Dragons Help Launch 2015 Charity Shield

The St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs today officially launched the 2015 Charity Shield to be contested at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park on Saturday, February 7.

The 32nd annual Charity Shield will serve as the final hit-out for the Dragons on familiar soil before they depart to compete in the inaugural World Club Series.

Head Coach Paul McGregor had the opportunity to compete in the 18th annual Charity Shield fixture (1999) whilst serving as co-captain of the Club so understands the history and nature of the match.

“The Charity Shield has always been an important part of the Club’s pre-season preparation. It is a fixture that is steeped in both history and tradition that the players love to play,” said McGregor.

“It is not your average pre-season match, it is always a high intensity match which is what is needed heading into the season and with Souths the reigning Premiers, it will be a good test for us.

“This will be our final pre-season game before we compete in the World Club Series and it will be a good indication as to where the players are at in their individual preparations as we prepare for the new Premiership season.”

The Charity Shield commenced in 1982 and so too did the tradition of supporting local charities and causes. In 2015, proceeds from the Charity Shield will support three charities within the Dragons Community program – the St George and Wollongong Public Hospitals in addition to the St.George Foundation.

Dragons Community was first established in 2008 and aims to have a positive impact on people’s lives within our community, which stretches from Kogarah in the north to Batemans Bay in the south.

Dragons Community currently runs 30 different programs across its eight pillars:

* Charity                                 * Cultural           * Education                   * Environment
* Grassroots Rugby League       * Health             * Mentoring                   * Women & Girls

St.George Foundation was founded in 1990 by St.George Bank, the major partner of the St George Illawarra Dragons, to help build a secure future for disadvantaged children.

Since its inception, the Foundation has invested over $23 million in funding programs that enrich the lives of Australian children who are physically, socially or economically disadvantaged.

“We are delighted to be a part of the 32nd annual Charity Shield and are very grateful for the ongoing support shown to us by the Dragons who will proudly take to the field with the St.George Foundation logo on their chests,” says Vanessa Barry from St. George Foundation.

For the 2015 Charity Shield, St.George Foundation have taken the opportunity to nominate local charity Kookaburra Kids to form the guard of honour, representing the thousands of little guys across Australia who are helped by St.George Foundation each year.

“Kookaburra Kids is an organisation supporting children living in families affected by mental illness, and is a recent recipient of a St.George Foundation grant,” said Barry.  

“Our recent donation of $46,000 from St.George Foundation has meant that this local charity can continue to offer respite for children who are often the primary carers of family members with mental illness.”

“Funding has gone towards running Kookaburra Kids recreational camps and school holiday activities that give these kids a break, in a fun positive and safe environment - there they also have the opportunity to meet other kids in similar families and develop lifelong friendships.”

Barry noted that all funds raised on the night at the Charity Shield will be donated back out to charities just like Kookaburra Kids through the St.George Foundation’s four funding rounds per year.

Results

The St George Illawarra Dragons were defeated 38-20 by the South Sydney Rabbitohs in last season’s Charity Shield fixture held at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.

In 31 Charity Shield fixtures contested since 1982, the Dragons have recorded 16 wins, 11 losses and drawn on four occasions.

Ticketing Information

Tickets to the 2015 Charity Shield are on sale to the general public now through Ticketek. For further information or to purchase tickets please click here