Grand Final Week celebrations

The NRL will tomorrow launch the most inspiring ever start to Telstra Premiership Grand Final Week as the NRL’s biggest stars join with grassroots volunteers, the game’s most dedicated women and officials who devote themselves to helping others enjoy Rugby League at the fourth annual One Community Awards at Sydney Town Hall. <br><br> Telstra Ken Stephen Medal nominees including Petero Civoniceva, Andrew Ryan, Luke Priddis, Preston Campbell and Chris Heighington will be among the guests as Rugby League honours its off- field heroes and celebrates its connection with the community, its members and fans. <br><br> It’s a celebration that will continue throughout the week, from the steps of the Sydney Opera House to local shops and streets dressed in the colours of the Grand Final teams as Sydney feels alive with excitement amidst the biggest week of Telstra Premiership Grand Final activities ever staged. <br><br>Members and fan parties, street barbecues and magical Grand Final moments beamed on to the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge will celebrate the pride and passion of Rugby League fans while traditional highlights such as the Telstra Premiership Grand Final Breakfast, Men of League Ball and Carbine Club corporate function will showcase the achievements of the game’s Grand Final heroes and retiring stars. <br><br>With the final release of approximately 14,000 Telstra Premiership Grand Final tickets going on sale to Ticketed Club Members of the Dragons and Roosters tomorrow at 9am, NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, today invited all members and fans to be part of the Grand Final Week excitement. <br><br>“Congratulations to the Dragons and Roosters for making the 2010 Telstra Premiership Grand Final and may I wish the clubs, their members and fans the best of luck for Sunday’s match,” Mr Gallop said. <br><br>“Not everyone can be there on Grand Final day to cheer on the teams but this year will feature the biggest week of Grand Final events we have ever staged and there are events that members, fans and visitors to Sydney can all be part of. <br><br>“It’s going to be an exciting week of activities and I would again like to thank the NSW Government and Events NSW for their support in building this week-long celebration of the game.” <br><br><b>The 2010 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Week celebrations feature: <br><br> Monday, September 27 <br><br> One Community Awards, Sydney Town Hall</b> <br><br> Hosted for the first time in Telstra Premiership Grand Final Week, the fourth annual One Community Awards is one of the game’s most inspiring nights of the year and honours the off-field heroes – the mums and dads, volunteers, coaches, development officers and officials – who dedicate themselves to helping others enjoy the game. <br><br> Award nominees from across Australia will rub shoulders with NRL stars in an event that features the presentation of the coveted Telstra Ken Stephen Medal, awarded to the NRL player who has demonstrated ongoing and exceptional service to the game both on and off the field, as well as the Toyota Volunteer of the Year Award, with both winners to present the Telstra Premiership Trophy to the capacity crowd at ANZ Stadium on Grand Final day. <br><br> <b>Tuesday, September 28</b> <br><br> The teams and match officials for the 2010 Telstra Premiership Grand Final are announced. <br><br> <b>Men of League Ball, Star City</b> <br><br> The Men of League Ball honours past and present players and is a major fundraising event for the Men of League Foundation. Each year the Ball celebrates a theme and in 2010 it will celebrate ‘The Entertainers’. NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, will also present the new inductees into the ‘300 Club’ with their prestigious ‘300 Club’ rings. <br><br> <b>Wednesday, September 29 <br><br> Inaugural NRL Club Members Grand Final Party, Star City</b> For the first time, the NRL will host an exclusive ‘Club Members Party’ to acknowledge the support of its Ticketed Club Members, with the party involving club officials, Rugby League legends and current NRL stars. <br><br> <b>Thursday, September 30 <br><br> Grand Final Breakfast, Sydney Convention Centre</b> <br><br> The Telstra Premiership Grand Final Breakfast is an event steeped in tradition. The breakfast will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and is attended by the two Telstra Premiership Grand Final teams, club officials, NRL guests, sponsor and commercial partners and media. <br><br> <b>Carbine Club NRL Grand Final Lunch, Westin Hotel</b> <br><br> The Carbine Club NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Lunch is a corporate sales event which celebrates Rugby League. Hosted by Ray Warren, it also honours the game’s retiring and departing stars. <br><br> <b>Telstra Premiership Grand Final Fan Party, Sydney Opera House</b> <br><br> A day of family and Rugby League-based interactive activities and entertainment will culminate in a broadcast of The Footy Show and will include an appearance by both Telstra Premiership Grand Final teams, autograph sessions with past and current players, junior coaching clinics, cheerleader performances and participation clinics, club mascot appearances, street theatre, entertainment and Rugby League One Community activities. <br><br> Free activities will run from 9am-1.30pm and feature some of the NRL’s biggest stars including Nathan Hindmarsh, Johnathan Thurston, Luke Burt, Andrew Ryan, John Sutton, David Shillington, Joel Monaghan and Luke Patten. <br><br> Tickets for activities after 2pm cost just $5-$10 and are on sale from the Sydney Opera House ticket office and at <a href="http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com">www.sydneyoperahouse.com</a>. <br><br> Please note, due to venue capacity, only 5,000 tickets are available for sale. <br><br> Full event details are available at <a href="http://www.nrl.com/nrlhome/grandfinal/tabid/10973/default.aspx">www.nrl.com/grandfinal</a> <br><br> <b>Memorable Moments, Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons</b> <br><br> The Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons will project 20 great Grand Final and 2010 Telstra Premiership season images from Thursday to Sunday of the Telstra Premiership Grand Final Week. <br><br> <b>Saturday, October 2 <br><br> Grand Final Street BBQs</b> <br><br> Street BBQ parties will be held in key locations of each Telstra Premiership Grand Final team. These events will be family orientated and encourage local celebration and excitement around their team’s Telstra Premiership Grand Final participation. <br><br> <b>Epsom Day entry</b> <br><br> Every fan that has an NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final ticket will also be able to receive free entry to Epsom Day races at Royal Randwick. <br><br> <b>Sunday, October 3 <br><br> 2010 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final, ANZ Stadium</b>