The Sydney Roosters are delighted to announce that the Sydney Roosters Foundation will be the Match Day Partner for the Club’s Round 24 NRL fixture against the Parramatta Eels at Allianz Stadium this Friday, August 16.
This match will shine a spotlight on the crucial work of the Foundation, which was established in 2021 as the fundraising arm of the Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club (Sydney Roosters).
The Sydney Roosters Foundation plays a pivotal role in supporting essential programs, including Junior Rugby League & Pathways, Female Rugby League, Facility Development, and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. These efforts are closely aligned with the Easts Group Strategic Plan through four key pillars: Our People, Our Future, Our Community, and Our History.
In 2021, a group of 18 dedicated individuals, known as ‘The Founders,’ pledged their support to establish the Sydney Roosters Foundation. Their generosity laid the groundwork for the Foundation’s first major initiative under the Our People pillar: the Sydney Roosters Academy.
The vision for the Sydney Roosters Academy was inspired by a 2020 pre-season trip to Barcelona, where the Club’s leaders were impressed by FC Barcelona’s renowned La Masia facilities. Much like La Masia, where footballers as young as six are groomed to become Barcelona stars, the Sydney Roosters Academy aims to develop the next generation of Roosters talent.
Sydney Roosters Chairman Nick Politis AM expressed his aspirations for the Academy, stating, “FC Barcelona is the world leader, and we were inspired by the setup at La Masia. Our goal is to establish the Sydney Roosters Academy as the best in Australian Sport.”
The Academy, established by Roosters legends Mitchell Aubusson and Jake Friend—both former teenage recruits to the Club—provides unparalleled support to young players residing in the Roosters Academy House. Here, players receive top-tier training, education, and mentorship from former Roosters greats like Anthony Minichiello, Mitchell Pearce, Boyd Cordner, and Cooper Cronk.
Currently, 12 players reside in the Roosters Academy House at any given time, living with house parents and guided by full-time high-performance coaches, along with dedicated physiotherapy, welfare, and medical support teams.
The Academy has already begun to bear fruit, with Siua Wong becoming the first Academy graduate to debut in the NRL in 2023, followed by Blake Steep in 2024.
“I’m proud of the way we have grown the Sydney Roosters Academy in just a few short years,” said Sydney Roosters Head of Academy, Jake Friend. “We are building the next generation of Roosters premiership players, and it’s been very rewarding to see the first of our Academy products progress to the NRL. There’s still a long way to go in our quest to be the benchmark for elite junior player development in Australian sport, and that’s only possible via the continued support of our generous donors,” he added.
The Academy’s success is entirely funded through donations via the Australian Sports Foundation. Members and supporters who wish to contribute to the Sydney Roosters Foundation can do so at: roosters.com.au/foundation.
As part of the Match Day entertainment, one lucky fan in attendance will win a return trip to Hawaii for two guests, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines.
