Just one day out from being the first Gold Coast player to register 100 games in SUNS colours, it’s timely to reflect upon Jarrod Harbrow’s significant role within the club.
Aside from his playing accolades, Harbrow’s influence off the field cannot be overstated, delivering over 500 hours of community work since 2011 and lending his name and personal time to the Jarrod Harbrow Leadership Academy (JHLA).
Launched in December 2015, the JHLA is a talent program designed to offer support and services to Indigenous athletes on the Gold Coast.
“It’s exciting, it’s just about giving young Indigenous kids from the Gold Coast region a pathway to get the best out of themselves,” Harbrow told SUNS TV.
“Whether that’s football or schooling or whatever, just to make good young leaders for the future.”
A renowned leader himself within the SUNS playing group, Harbrow is personally involved with the Academy, working to drive involvement and increase the opportunities offered within the program.
“That’s going really well. I’m doing a lot of work with the community team with Luke Jeffery [Community and Fan Development Manager] and Michael Gugliotta [Community Programs Coordinator],” he said.
The legacy created by Harbrow and the SUNS Community team through the JHLA helps foster the next generation of Indigenous talent on the Gold Coast whilst providing an environment to develop young players on and off the field. The other seven Indigenous SUNS players are also highly involved with the Academy through mentoring and leadership roles.
And the program is already bearing fruit. Earlier this year, three gifted young women from the JHLA were selected to represent their state in the Queensland’s Youth Girls Squad.
The Academy will also facilitate a development camp in mid 2016 to further foster the young indigenous members.
Click here to lean more about the Jarrod Harbrow Leadership Academy
Picture: Adam Head
