This was published 8 years ago
Sia Soliola doing it for the kids as Raiders build NRL's next 'family club'
By Jon Tuxworth and David Polkinghorne
It's Sia Soliola's most important pre-match routine. Before every game the Canberra Raiders forward writes the name of a sick child on his arm strapping as an ambassador of Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST).
It's a small gesture that means plenty to the children and their families dealing with the genetic condition.
The sons of Canberra Raiders players Sia Soliola (Israel) and Blake Austin (Carter) are playing for Belconnen United Sharks under-6 team.Credit: Jay Cronan
Soliola decided to join to help generate awareness after meeting Melissa Adams – a young girl battling the illness – when he was playing for St Helens in the English Super League.
Her situation affected him so deeply he gave her the jersey he wore in the club's grand final win over Wigan in 2014. Now aged 12, Melissa uttered her first word – "mama" – earlier this year.
Israel Soliola in action.Credit: Jay Cronan
FAST is his Soliola's way of continuing to contribute to a cause close to his heart.
As an NRL player Soliola – who joined the Raiders last year – knows he has the profile to help others who need it most.
Against Cronulla a fortnight ago he gave sick child Charlotte her moment in the spotlight. In last week's stirring home win over Melbourne, it was Beau.
When he runs out against the Eels on Sunday it will be young Isaac's turn on the big stage.
"My friend [Canterbury winger] Sam Perrett and I wanted to do something over here because it tends to be hard creating awareness about Melissa's fund in Australia," Soliola said.
"She came to [St Helen's] training one time in 2013 and asked for a photo with me. Her mum asked if I wanted to be an ambassador for her daughter's fund [Melissa's Smile Fund].
"It turned out they lived just down the road from me and I tried to help her out as much as I could, I gave her my grand final jersey and we still keep in touch.
"I can only imagine what these parents go through, it's pretty tough for them and if I can help the load I'm happy to do that while I'm playing footy and have a profile."
The Raiders are quickly rivalling Canterbury's long-held reputation as the "family club".
A number of players have recently started families and Soliola missed a game against the Warriors in New Zealand in May to be present for the birth of his second son Alesana.
Even on most home game days Soliola and Raiders teammate Blake Austin will be watching their sons Israel and Carter play for the Belconnen Sharks under-sixes with other proud parents, before playing in the NRL just hours later.
The pair are given permission to complete their training duties early to watch their children play.
"It just shows what Ricky's all about. He understands as footballers we're family men too, and some things just have to come before the team," Soliola said.
"If it means altering things a bit so we can watch our kids play footy games or a family member is sick, Ricky understands that.
"Playing a more senior role and watching Ricky balance out and how he manages everything, I'm learning heaps more than what I did when I was in England."
Austin said he chose the Sharks for Carter due to the club's family feel.
"It's a smaller club and it reminds me a lot of my junior club [Doonside Roos in Sydney], that's why we took Carter down there," Austin said.
"I think there was a couple of bigger clubs that were closer to home, but I wanted to get him in there and it does feel like a family club for sure.
"Sticky's [Stuart] pretty cool, he lets us put our family first and he understands a lot of us are from out of town. If we've got happy families then we're going to be a lot happier at training."
Soliola is Canberra's nominee for the Ken Stephen Medal, the NRL's top prize for community and charity work, which former Raiders skipper Terry Campese won in 2013.
The 30-year-old regularly buys Raiders jerseys out of his own pocket to sign and donate to worthy causes, is involved with Menslink's "Silence Is Deadly" mental health program and is an NRL State of Mind ambassador.
He also spends time working with juveniles at the Bimberi Detention Centre with teammates Jeff Lima, Aidan Sezer and Elliott Whitehead.
"We're not in this game for long so if we can help without being silly about it and help the less fortunate, we will."