ADF Rugby League Team Brings Bears and Smiles

In the lead-up to their ANZAC Day match, members of the Australian Defence Force Rugby League team paused their preparations for something far more important than the game. A couple of days prior, the players visited Randwick Children’s Hospital, carrying with them a message of support, laughter, and armfuls of Navy, Army, and Air Force bears.

For Head Coach Warrant Officer Class One Shane Bullock, the visit carried a deeply personal meaning.

“This is the second time we’ve conducted a hospital visit as part of our ANZAC Rugby League camp,” he explained. “This one was especially close to my heart. One of our junior players from the Narrabeen Sharks, Beau Hewitt, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He spent a great deal of time at the Children’s Hospital. Sadly, Beau passed away earlier this year after a nine-month battle. He was a huge Rugby League fan, and when I told his family about the visit, they were so happy we got to do it. Beau would have been proud.”

Australian Defence Force Rugby League team before their clash against the NZDF team at the ANZAC Day 2024 curtain raiser match at Allianz Stadium, Sydney (Image from Defence Australia)

While the visit was a tribute to Beau, it was also a gift to every child and family the team met that day. Sergeant Aaron Popko recalled the laughter and joy of joining forces with the Starlight team.

“One memorable moment was playing games and performing skits with the children. Creating lots of laughter and putting smiles on everyone’s faces was a highlight for our players,” he said.

Those smiles grew wider when the players presented the children with specially donated ADF Bears. Clad in miniature service uniforms of Navy, Army, and Air Force, the bears symbolised both the services the players represented and the generosity of the wider community.

“The bears are very unique,” Bullock said. “It was a way our players could hand over something that would put a smile on their face. Who doesn’t like a teddy bear? And combining that with a military bear made it even better.”

Sgt. Popko agreed. “The ADF Bears were a great success. The children really appreciated receiving them — most were super excited, and some of the biggest smiles were displayed. We visited four different areas within the hospital — the adolescent ward, paediatric ward, outpatient clinic and playrooms — and in every space the bears were a hit.”

Beyond the gifts and games, the visit delivered a message of empathy, resilience, and connection.

“We wanted the children and families to know that we are here thinking about them,” Bullock said. “They’ve been dealt an unfair card, but even just to put a smile on their face, to break up their day, meant a lot. For our players, it was also a lesson: to understand what some families are going through, to never take a day for granted.”

For Popko, the message was equally clear. “We wanted to let the children and families know how brave, resilient and courageous they are. Being able to distract them positively and allow them to smile by simply gifting a teddy bear meant the world to them.”

While the heart of the day was in the players’ connection with the children, the ADF Bears helped make those moments even more special. Dressed in the uniforms of Navy, Army and Air Force, the Little Aussie Bears became keepsakes that carried both comfort and meaning for the young patients. 

"We are proud to have been invited to participate in this impactful activity. It is amazing to hear that our bears played a small contribution to a visit that was all about lifting spirits and sharing support," says Stephen Davie, Managing Director of BrandNet, operator of the Military Shop, Air Force Shop, Navy Shop, and Navy Shop. "Supporting our servicemen and women and the community around them is the heart of what we do." 

Learn more about the BrandNet Group’s community initiatives here.