
SEAN CONNOLLY COOKS UP A STORM AT EAT STRONG, PLAY STRONG LAUNCH
Last night, Tuesday 19th July 2016, Charity Bounce officially launched their innovative new program ‘Eat Strong, Play Strong’ with the help of celebrity chef Sean Connolly.
Thanks to Charity Bounce, underprivileged youth in Sydney are learning about the significance of nutrition, exercise and school attendance. Charity Bounce’s newest program Eat Strong, Play Strong officially launched last night with ambassador Sean Connolly encouraging the youth who participated to get inside the kitchen and try cooking for themselves.
On an evening that was more like spring than mid-Winter, the event took place outdoors at the skate park at Waterloo Oval with kids from Redfern, Waterloo and Erskineville gaining inspiration from Connolly – who gave them an alfresco interactive cooking demonstration and shared his pro tips for healthier eating choices.
Connolly said, “Cooking alongside the youth was incredible – their enthusiasm was absolutely contagious. I loved being able to see how Charity Bounce is directly helping and really get involved in teaching them about the importance of maintaining a healthy diet. It was a fantastic experience that I won’t soon forget and I can’t wait to continue my involvement with this great cause next week in Alice Springs.”
The demo was followed by an interactive basketball clinic on a pop-up court with NBL legend Cal Bruton, who shared pro basketball tips as well as personal life experiences. Cal Bruton is an Australian basketball legend, originally from Brooklyn, New York, who has won an NBL Championship and played for the Australian Boomers. The program was delivered at WEAVE, who have a long history of providing a safe and encouraging place for youth in the local area.
Chief Executive Officer of Charity Bounce, Ian Heininger said, “The evening was a huge success. Our hope is that these programs will inspire young people to focus on what it takes to build their education so that they can achieve the dreams they are pursuing in life. Being around individuals who encourage and inspire them as professional chefs or athletes, and then have them sit down to have real conversations with them creates a real sense of value – that is why I love watching these projects take shape. These are the conversations that can inspire lasting positive change. I am committed to building programs like this that make what seemed out-of-reach for these young people, appear right in front of them, ready for the taking.”
Next on the agenda for Charity Bounce, Sean Connolly will be sharing his talents and passion for food yet again, this time in Alice Springs to motivate their local Aboriginal youth. Joining Connolly will be NBL legend Cal Bruton who will conduct basketball clinics and Q&A sessions for the kids as part of their Stand Tall program. The trip will take place next week.

Chef Sean Connolly and NBL Legend Cal Bruton cooking up a storm at the Eat Strong Play Strong launch in the skatepark at Waterloo

Taking the street game to the skatepark with NBL legend Cal Bruton at the Eat Strong Play Strong launch in Waterloo

Chef Sean Connolly and NBL legend Cal Bruton working together at the Eat Strong Play Strong launch
Charity Bounce is a not for profit organisation that exists to inspire positive change to overcome disadvantage for individuals and communities. With a focus on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and Culturally Diverse communities, including newly arrived refugees we aim to move people toward a more positive future through the development of sports, the arts, health, education and employment focused social programs. The programs are delivered in partnership with professional athletes to motivate change and inspire.