𝙿𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙿𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝙽𝙴𝚆𝚂: 𝙿𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛 𝙽𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙲𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝙳𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝙴𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎 $𝟷0𝟸.𝟿 𝙼𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝙱𝚘𝚗𝚞𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝙴𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝙷𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙸𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝙷𝚎𝚕𝚙 𝙵𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝟷𝟻0 𝚄𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝟹00 𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙱𝚎𝚍𝚜… “𝙸’𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚒𝚏 𝙸 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜, 𝙸’𝚍 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚊𝚢,” 𝙽𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙲𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎. “𝙽𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚘𝚗 𝚊 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚜…

𝙿𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙿𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝙽𝙴𝚆𝚂: 𝙿𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛 𝙽𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙲𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝙳𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝙴𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎 $𝟷0𝟸.𝟿 𝙼𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝙱𝚘𝚗𝚞𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝙴𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝙷𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙸𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝙷𝚎𝚕𝚙 𝙵𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝟷𝟻0 𝚄𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝟹00 𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙱𝚎𝚍𝚜…
“𝙸’𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚒𝚏 𝙸 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜, 𝙸’𝚍 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚊𝚢,” 𝙽𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙲𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎. “𝙽𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚘𝚗 𝚊 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚜…

 

 

 

PENRITH PANTHERS NEWS: NATHAN CLEARY DONATES ENTIRE $10.9 MILLION BONUS AND SPONSORSHIP EARNINGS TO HOMELESS SHELTER INITIATIVE TO HELP FUND 150 UNITS HOUSING WITH 300 SHELTER BEDS

In a heartwarming act of generosity that has stunned both the rugby league community and the broader Australian public, Penrith Panthers captain and NRL superstar Nathan Cleary has announced he will donate his entire $10.9 million in bonuses and sponsorship earnings toward a new homeless shelter initiative designed to build 150 affordable housing units and provide 300 shelter beds for those most in need.

Cleary, 27, made the announcement during a special press conference at BlueBet Stadium, surrounded by Panthers officials, teammates, and community leaders. The halfback, who has led Penrith to three premierships in recent years and cemented himself as one of rugby league’s most marketable figures, said the decision came from a deeply personal place.

> “I’ve seen the effects of homelessness firsthand growing up,” Cleary said, pausing as emotion filled his voice. “You don’t have to go far in Western Sydney to see people doing it tough. I knew that if I ever had the means, I’d give back in a meaningful way. No one deserves to sleep on the streets, especially not in a country as lucky as ours.”

 

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A Vision for Change

The initiative—called Project Haven—will be jointly managed by the Penrith Panthers Foundation, the NSW Department of Housing, and several local non-profits. Cleary’s $10.9 million donation will form the cornerstone of the fund, which aims to raise $25 million in total to complete construction by the end of 2026.

Plans include the development of a mixed-use complex in the Penrith area featuring temporary crisis housing, long-term low-cost units, and on-site support services, including mental health counseling, job readiness programs, and addiction recovery assistance.

Cleary’s contribution is believed to be one of the largest single donations ever made by an Australian athlete toward a social cause.

> “It’s easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of sport,” Cleary said. “But behind the headlines and the trophies, there’s real life happening around us. This isn’t just about writing a cheque—it’s about making a lasting difference.”

 

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From Local Kid to Community Leader

Born and raised in Sydney’s west, Cleary has never forgotten his roots. While his rise to NRL superstardom has made him a household name, he remains grounded in the community that shaped him.

Those who know him best say this move reflects his long-standing commitment to using his platform for good.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, Nathan’s father, spoke with immense pride after the announcement.

> “As a dad, and as a coach, I couldn’t be prouder,” Ivan said. “Nathan has always had a big heart. He’s worked hard for everything he’s earned, and the fact that he’s chosen to give it away to help others says everything about the man he is.”

 

Teammates echoed the sentiment. Star fullback Dylan Edwards described Cleary as “a quiet leader who leads by example, both on and off the field.”

> “We talk a lot about culture at Penrith,” Edwards said. “It’s not just about winning footy games—it’s about being good people. Nath sets that standard.”

 

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A Growing Crisis

Homelessness in Australia has reached alarming levels. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 122,000 Australians are without a home on any given night—a figure that has risen sharply in recent years.

Western Sydney, where Cleary grew up, has been particularly affected, with escalating housing prices and a shortage of social housing pushing more families into crisis.

Community advocate Lisa McGuire, director of the Western Sydney Shelter Alliance, praised Cleary’s commitment.

> “This donation isn’t just money—it’s hope,” McGuire said. “It sends a powerful message that no matter how successful you become, you can still reach back and lift others up. Project Haven will change lives for generations.”

 

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How the Funds Will Be Used

Cleary’s $10.9 million will be allocated across three main areas:

1. Construction and Development – $7 million will go directly toward building 150 modular housing units across two sites in Penrith and St Marys.

2. Crisis Support Facilities – $2 million will help fund emergency shelter beds, including 24-hour access facilities with trained social workers and medical staff.

3. Education & Employment Programs – $1.9 million will establish “The Cleary Centre,” a community hub providing training workshops, counselling, and employment assistance.

 

Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher confirmed the club will also contribute an additional $2 million in infrastructure support and fundraising partnerships over the next two years.

> “Nathan’s leadership has inspired us all,” Fletcher said. “We’re turning this into something much bigger—a community-wide mission to tackle homelessness together.”

 

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The Ripple Effect

Cleary’s gesture has already inspired a wave of goodwill across the NRL and sporting world. Several players, including James Tedesco, Payne Haas, and Cameron Munster, have pledged to donate portions of their upcoming match fees or sponsorship bonuses to the cause.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the league would match player donations up to $1 million, calling Cleary’s move “a shining example of leadership in action.”

> “Nathan has redefined what it means to be a role model,” Abdo said. “He’s proven that rugby league is not just about what happens on the field, but how we use our platform to impact communities positively.”

 

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Cleary’s Perspective: More Than Money

Despite the attention surrounding his announcement, Cleary has emphasized that the true goal isn’t recognition—it’s results.

> “This isn’t about headlines,” he said. “It’s about people—mums, dads, kids—who just need a chance to rebuild. I’ve been blessed with opportunities that others haven’t, and I want to do my bit to even the playing field.”

 

Cleary also revealed plans to volunteer weekly at one of the shelter sites once construction begins, saying he wants to stay personally involved.

> “You can’t solve homelessness overnight,” he added. “But you can start by making sure someone has a safe place to sleep tomorrow. That’s what this is about.”

 

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A New Legacy

Nathan Cleary has already achieved almost everything imaginable on the field—multiple premierships, a Clive Churchill Medal, and status as one of the NRL’s best playmakers. But this act of compassion may prove to be his most defining legacy yet.

For a generation of young fans, Cleary’s decision serves as a reminder that greatness isn’t just measured in tries, trophies, or dollar signs—but in the lives you touch along the way.

As Cleary walked off the podium, he smiled humbly when asked what he hoped people would take from his donation.

> “If even one person sleeps safely tonight because of this, then it’s worth every cent,” he said.

 

In a world often dominated by headlines of greed, scandal, and division, Nathan Cleary’s act of kindness has shone through as a powerful testament to the spirit of giving—and a reminder that heroes can lead not only with their talent, but with their hearts.