Pre-season can be a grind – but a crowd of Red and Green cheering the Rabbitohs through an open training session will lift South Sydney to all new levels.
That’s the view of ten-year NRL veteran and former Rabbitoh Shannon Donato, now Chief Commercial Officer. Members and supporters have the chance to do just that on Monday 18 December at the iconic Redfern Oval.
Mr Donato reveals the boost the players receive from the Members and supporters is overwhelming and the chance to meet those behind the encouragement is a special occasion.
“As a player you appreciate the Members who support the team week in and week out but it’s nice to have the chance to meet and greet with some of those Members and supporters,” said Mr Donato.
“It adds to the experience and atmosphere of the training session to have the Members turn up, so I know the players will really look forward to the open day and appreciate the opportunity to sign merchandise and take some photos with those who admire them.”
With a chance to get some of your favourite Rabbitohs gear signed and the prospect of lining up that one time selfie with your idols, Members and supporters are being offered an inside view of the team’s world.
Shannon Donato"As a player you always look forward to catching up and meeting with the Members and giving something back to those who make the club possible."
However, for Mr Donato, support from the sidelines - even at training - helps the players gain extra motivation for success, thus bettering results and performances on match day.
“For a lot of members the main thing they see is the team run out on the weekend so to get behind the curtain and see what goes on at training and to see the amount of work that goes in, in terms of preparation for match days, is a really good opportunity.
“The players like for members to understand that and the hard work they go through in getting ready to represent the Club when they run out on the weekend.”
Training starts at 10am and will be followed by a chance to get pictures and autographs with the players who train on the day.
The open training session is the perfect way to kick off the school holiday activities and, with our very own merchandise crew on hand to help deliver the complete Souths experience, all Members and supporters can truly immerse themselves in the Rabbitohs world.
“Ultimately the Members are what we do it for,” Donato added. “We’re a team of 17 but we understand that we are representing the whole club and the club is a family of Members.
“So as a player you always look forward to catching up and meeting with the Members and giving something back to those who make the club possible.”
