Hawks put smiles on Laramba kids' faces

The Illawarra Hawks have brightened the day of numerous Laramba children by donating them with old jerseys.

A dozen Hawks jerseys were recently presented by Illawarra forward and club community engagement officer Tim Coenraad to Kaleena Webbe, who then posted the gifts close to 3000 kilometres away to the remote Northern Territory Indigenous community.

"This is a real special moment for me - as a player that has always been passionate about community, for us to be able to have such a positive effect on kids from a remote town like Laramba, means a lot to me," Coenraad said.

"It’s even more special when it happens so organically like it did, finding out that we have a Hawks fan in the middle of the Northern Territory is pretty cool, especially considering the history of Kaleena's family with the club (she was a former head cheerleader and the team formerly trained at her father's gym for more than 20 years)."

The donation all started when Webbe reached out to the foundation club last month, after finding some young HawkHeads on her travels to the remote Aboriginal community.

"I reached out because I thought it was an interesting story that I met Illawarra Hawks fans so far away from Wollongong," said Webbe, who now volunteers her time with the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA).

"Kathan is such a fan of the Hawks and I hoped that if there was a story or anything the club could donate it would be such a thrill for him and the community of Laramba - especially as my family have such fond memories with Illawarra's NBL side over the years.

"The young people in Laramba will be so excited to know that a team they love and admire from such a long way away has thought about them.

"In a community of around 200 people and over 200km from Alice Springs, visitors are not that common, so knowing that people 3000kms away care enough to send the jerseys will be really uplifting and inspiring."

Webbe has volunteered her time with NASCA three times over the past four years (where she's had the privilege of visiting four different communities), admitting how rewarding it is for her but also how big of an impact acts like this can have on youth's lives.

"I first volunteered because I am very passionate about supporting, promoting and advocating for equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Webbe said.

"I am in a position to give back to the community and feel strongly that if you are in a position to give back, it is your responsibility to do so.

"Personally I get so much out of volunteering - having a cultural immersion experience in communities like this helps you better understand issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which can inspire and motivate you to fight for change and it is just super fun and rewarding being around such amazing, energetic, bright young people.

"Remote communities like these are such a long way from major cities that often opportunities to attend major sports games or meet their favourite teams or players are limited.

"Sports stars are often important role models and donations like these can be really inspiring and motivating for young people.

"It was through NASCA that Kathan and Reagan were able to come to Wollongong and watch a live Hawks game, which was an absolute highlight when they told me about their trip.

"One of the aims of NASCA is to empower young people to attend school and donations like this can be a great incentive."