NYC players help special needs kids

Four of the Newcastle Knights under 20’s players volunteered their time during a two day school holiday camp designed to help disadvantaged, disabled and children at risk build more satisfying and productive lives.

Held at Point Wolstoncroft, Gwandalan, the camp formed part of the Special Needs Accomodation Placement Program (SNAP) and was led by former NBL basketball star, Butch Hays.

Players Pat Mata’utia, Napoleon Utai, Jackson Hill and James Elias assisted the children in participating in a number of challenging and fun activities, which would not normally be available to them.

Knights people and culture manager Phil Matthews said the players were excellent role models for the young participants.

“The players chosen for this camp all have an interest in social work,” he said.

“Butch Hays said the players did a fantastic job getting the message across to the children that ‘anything is possible’.

“They were also did a great job getting the children with low self esteem to do things they wouldn’t normally do.”

SNAP is an ongoing program and camps are held during each school holidays.