NRL Cronulla Sharks stars tackle ugly racism directed at players during Coffs Harbour school visit

It’s a challenging reality for Coffs Harbour that its make-up is a near mirror of Cronulla in Sydney’s south, the scene of frightening race riots in 2005. It’s why the Sharks are working hard to make a difference.

Cronulla Sharks NRL player Jesse Ramien is mobbed for autographs during a visit to Mary Help of Christians Primary School at Coffs Harbour ahead of the Indigenous Round match against the Newcastle Knights. Picture: Chris Knight

The Cronulla Sharks NRL team is in Coffs Harbour on a mission broader than securing two competition points when it faces the Newcastle Knights at C.ex International Stadium on Saturday.

The superstars from the shire have been doing the rounds, making appearances in the community, as is the norm for a touring side - but the messaging has been telling ahead of the Indigenous Round.

During a visit to Mary Help of Christians Primary School at Toormina, players Matt Moylan and Jesse Ramien fronted an excited group of Years 5-6 students.

Cronulla Sharks NRL players Jesse Ramien and Matt Moylan at Mary Help of Christians Primary School. Picture: Chris Knight

They spoke about the club’s One Heart anti-racism campaign, and the presentation noted Coffs Harbour had much in common with Cronulla - a lack of ethnic diversity with the great majority of residents being Australian-born.

Ramien, an Aboriginal man hailing from Coonamble, said racial slurs against NRL players remained a sore on society in 2023.

He cited clubmate Nicko Hynes and Taree’s South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell as two indigenous men in particular who copped it from bigots.

The young Catholic school students hung on every word at the Toormina school hall.

The youngsters were well pleased to receive Cronulla Sharks team posters and face masks ahead of the big match. Picture: Chris Knight

But they also heard how the Sharks NRL squad is anything but emblematic of the shire - with 18 racial heritages represented in a team which some have labelled as having a genuine chance of securing a 2023 premiership.

The big issue of stereotyping was dumbed down in a slide show presentation aimed at connecting with 11 and 12-year-olds.

Jesse Ramien said racist remarks are still made against some of the topline indigenous stars of the game. Picture: Chris Knight

In one scenario, the kids were asked to signal ‘yes’ or ‘no’ by placing their hand atop their head, fin-like, if they thought a statement was correct.

Wayne Bennett’s Redcliffe Dolphins - with their catchcall of ‘Phins Up’ - might have taken umbrage, but the Sharks have been about since 1967 and surely had first dibs.

Sharks or Dolphins - the youngsters didn’t mind as it was fins up all the same. Picture: Chris Knight

Coffs resident movie superstar Russell Crowe might also have been excused a gladiatorial thumbs down given the Sharks were intruding on the unofficial turf of South Sydney, the NRL franchise he part-owns.

Not that Cronulla are newcomers to Coffs - they’ve played an NRL fixture annually at the International Stadium in recent years and the investment for the hearts and minds is serious.

Teacher Katie Sevenoaks is a huge Sharks fan. Picture: Chris Knight

Mary Help of Christians teacher Katie Sevenoaks was as keen as any, donning a Cronulla footy jersey for the visit.

“It’s a really good way for the players to present as role models and it’s good for the community to see the cultural differences,” she said.

After the formal part of the presentation, bedlam ensued as the footy stars and Sharks officials handed the children team posters and face masks of players Wade Graham and Matt Moylan.

The scenes were as frenzied as they were delightful as the youngsters mobbed the players for autographs.

* The Sharks v Newcastle game will kick off at 3pm. It will be televised by Fox Sports and streamed on Kayo. ABC Radio’s grandstand team led by Andrew Moore will also be in town to call the game.