Kicking goals with the Cats
24 Mar 2016
24 March 2016
Under the new relationship, physiotherapy student and Geelong Cats defender Harry Taylor will become the hospital’s Brand Ambassador.
“Its very new, it looks really nice in here. As a physio you need to do a lot of practice to get where you need to be,” he said.
“Hopefully this new role that I have got allows me to come here a bit more regularly and learn off the great guys here.”
Over many decades the two organisations have regarded each other with respect, with many Cats and future Cats born in St John of God’s maternity wing.
As part of the community partnership, every baby born at St John of God Geelong Hospital will receive a ‘Kitty Cat’ membership to the Geelong Football Club.
“The teamwork of the mighty Cats and their determination to give their very best on the field has been an inspiration for the people of this city and in many ways mirrors the commitment of the caregivers at St John of God,” said the hospital’s CEO, Stephen Roberts.
“It is very exciting for us to be working together alongside the likes of Harry Taylor who – as well as inspiring our staff and patients – we hope will be able to learn a lot from us about his chosen professional career in physiotherapy.”
Geelong Cats Chief Commercial Officer Justin Reeves said the club is delighted to be aligned with St John of God Health Care.
“We are really pleased to be partnering with St John of God Geelong, a hospital who continues to give so much to the Geelong community,” Reeves said.
“In a practical sense, Harry’s studies in physiotherapy will also benefit from the partnership which is an added bonus.”
The sponsorship provides the framework for an exciting collaborative community program between the Cats and the hospital that will be announced in coming weeks.
This is in keeping with the significant role St John of God Geelong Hospital has played in numerous social outreach activities, such as its own Horizon House Program, providing long term supported accommodation for homeless youth, the award-winning Youth Engagement Program in partnership with Barwon Child, Youth & Family, supporting young people with drug and alcohol issues, and Headspace, providing dual diagnosis mental health services to youth.