The nib Newcastle Knights teamed up with the nib foundation and Path 2 Change to launch the Me Unlimited! program at Nobby’s Beach on Wednesday morning.
With more than half of all homeless young people reporting symptoms associated with mental health issues, Me Unlimited! is aiming to help break the cycle of homelessness by empowering vulnerable young people to better manage their mental health through physical activity.
Knights players Nathan Ross, Mickey Paea, Ken Sio, Cory Denniss, Jacob Gagan and Chanel Mata’utia took part in a surfing lesson with Me Unlimited! participants, who over the next 12 weeks will be assisted in developing skills and connections that will improve their employment opportunities, living conditions and mental wellbeing.
“It’s good to do our bit and give back to the community,” Paea told Knights TV after the surfing lesson.
“It’s just as rewarding for us as it is for them, so to be able to come down here and connect with these kids is a real positive.”
While some of the players took to surfing like ducks to water, others spent more time falling off their boards than surfing.
It was all part of the fun atmosphere though, and Sio said he enjoyed helping out the young participants of the Me Unlimited! program.
“Learning about their experiences and past, it’s just good to see smiles on their faces,” he explained.
“There was a bit of joy and laughter out there, and it’s great to invest some time in the community with the nib foundation.”
