More than 200 family members and partners of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players and staff united together on Thursday night for the very first Eagle Hearts dinner.
The brainchild of new Head Coach Anthony Seibold, the Eagle Hearts family night was about connecting the players, staff, and their families and having the opportunity to eat dinner together with the choice of four or five different cultural foods.
“It was an opportunity for our close ones to come in and eat together. We have got great diversity in our club, which we feel is a strength,’’ Seibold said.
“We want everybody to feel like they belong here at our great club.
“This was a chance to thank the partners, the mums, the dads, the uncles and aunties, and children of the players and staff, for their support of their partners in advance to what is always a demanding NRL season.
"One of the questions I asked the players and staff was 'why do they play footy, or why they do what they do', because the NRL is tough, it's hard.
"The overwhelming response was that they do it because of their families - the mums, the dads, their partners, and their kids."
“People don’t understand what these guys put their bodies through during the pre-season and during the season.”
Seibold told the families that he had been really impressed with the work ethic and attitude of the players and the coaching staff in terms of what they are trying to build at the club this season.
“I have great optimism going into the season. I also know there is a lot of work still to do until we play round one,’’ Seibold said.
“For those who have been part of NRL seasons, it’s a rollercoaster. It has its ups and downs and challenges. We can’t get to where we want to go to this season without their support.
“I thought it was a good way for us to get together and mix, and for some of us, to meet each other for the first time to have an Eagle Hearts family night.”
