The Pirtek Parramatta Eels were visited by Shadow Treasurer, the Hon Joe Hockey today, and he spoke about the determination it will take to rebuild the club.
Mr Hockey was joined by Ricky Stuart, who also thanked the Coalition for their support for a Centre of Excellence in Parramatta.
"The Coalition is very attracted to the Centre of Excellence, because we want the spirit of sport to extend beyond just one sport to the entire community and to extend to the indigenous community," Mr Hockey said.
"It's very important we can match the top teams in regards to their training facilities and their centre of excellence," Stuart added.
"It's a priority of ours to make sure we can give our players the best preparation to do their job, and match it with the top teams."
Speaking about the determination of the players, Mr Hockey says the side has it in spades.
"It doesn't matter how high the mountain is, it comes down to your determination to climb it," Mr Hockey said.
"That's what I'm going to say to the players - it's been a tough year for the Parramatta Eels, but it comes down to your determination to get ahead, to do the job and to put one foot in front of the others to rebuild."
Ricky Stuart says hearing those messages from people outside the arena of rugby league is important to the players.
"I like what he has to say about determination, we've got a lot of inner strength here to rebuild and put Parramatta back on the map of where it should be, and where we want to be."
Mr Hockey was joined by Ricky Stuart, who also thanked the Coalition for their support for a Centre of Excellence in Parramatta.
"The Coalition is very attracted to the Centre of Excellence, because we want the spirit of sport to extend beyond just one sport to the entire community and to extend to the indigenous community," Mr Hockey said.
"It's very important we can match the top teams in regards to their training facilities and their centre of excellence," Stuart added.
"It's a priority of ours to make sure we can give our players the best preparation to do their job, and match it with the top teams."
Speaking about the determination of the players, Mr Hockey says the side has it in spades.
"It doesn't matter how high the mountain is, it comes down to your determination to climb it," Mr Hockey said.
"That's what I'm going to say to the players - it's been a tough year for the Parramatta Eels, but it comes down to your determination to get ahead, to do the job and to put one foot in front of the others to rebuild."
Ricky Stuart says hearing those messages from people outside the arena of rugby league is important to the players.
"I like what he has to say about determination, we've got a lot of inner strength here to rebuild and put Parramatta back on the map of where it should be, and where we want to be."
