Rabbitohs sign Widders to 3-year deal
South Sydney signed Parramatta super-sub Dean Widders to a three-year deal, the club has announced.
Widders was widely tipped to be part of the Rabbitohs' recruitment drive under new majority owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court.
The 26-year-old forward told the media last weekend he was being squeezed out of Parramatta due to salary cap constraints.
Widders, who became a member of the National Indigenous Council on Monday, said he was looking forward to working with boxer Anthony Mundine on the Rabbitohs' Aboriginal community programs.
"I'm really impressed with the direction the club is heading and I'm looking forward to playing with them next season," Widders said in a statement.
"The club has shown me their plans for their on-field and off-field activities, especially the work they want to do with Aboriginal communities, and I'm looking forward to working with Anthony Mundine and the club on these projects."
Crowe announced Mundine as the club's new indigenous community liaison officer after the Rabbitohs' only win so far this season, against Brisbane on June 10.
Rabbitohs executive chairman Holmes a Court said he and Crowe had been impressed by Widders' passion on and off the football field.
"Dean is another example of our desire to bring strong, exciting players to the club who share our passion for rebuilding Souths and who have shown themselves to be leaders both on and off the field," he said in the statement.
"Russell and I called Dean yesterday, and the enthusiasm with which he speaks about community issues is inspiring."
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson added:
"Dean has the attacking potency in the forwards that we haven't had in the past.
"Dean is also highly regarded off the field with the work he does in the Aboriginal community.
"Dean is a role model for indigenous people in this country and we look forward to having him on board in 2007."
Widders has played 114 first grade games and represented Country Origin this year.
Widders has also won the Ken Stephen Medal for his contributions to the Aboriginal community, Father Chris Riley's Shine Day Award and the Bounce Back Foundations Community Ambassador of the Year award.
Where are they getting all this money!!!!!!!!!! Gualavo,vagana,kidwell,widders maybe asotasi!!!!!!!! This teams gona be awesome next year lol!
South Sydney signed Parramatta super-sub Dean Widders to a three-year deal, the club has announced.
Widders was widely tipped to be part of the Rabbitohs' recruitment drive under new majority owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court.
The 26-year-old forward told the media last weekend he was being squeezed out of Parramatta due to salary cap constraints.
Widders, who became a member of the National Indigenous Council on Monday, said he was looking forward to working with boxer Anthony Mundine on the Rabbitohs' Aboriginal community programs.
"I'm really impressed with the direction the club is heading and I'm looking forward to playing with them next season," Widders said in a statement.
"The club has shown me their plans for their on-field and off-field activities, especially the work they want to do with Aboriginal communities, and I'm looking forward to working with Anthony Mundine and the club on these projects."
Crowe announced Mundine as the club's new indigenous community liaison officer after the Rabbitohs' only win so far this season, against Brisbane on June 10.
Rabbitohs executive chairman Holmes a Court said he and Crowe had been impressed by Widders' passion on and off the football field.
"Dean is another example of our desire to bring strong, exciting players to the club who share our passion for rebuilding Souths and who have shown themselves to be leaders both on and off the field," he said in the statement.
"Russell and I called Dean yesterday, and the enthusiasm with which he speaks about community issues is inspiring."
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson added:
"Dean has the attacking potency in the forwards that we haven't had in the past.
"Dean is also highly regarded off the field with the work he does in the Aboriginal community.
"Dean is a role model for indigenous people in this country and we look forward to having him on board in 2007."
Widders has played 114 first grade games and represented Country Origin this year.
Widders has also won the Ken Stephen Medal for his contributions to the Aboriginal community, Father Chris Riley's Shine Day Award and the Bounce Back Foundations Community Ambassador of the Year award.
Where are they getting all this money!!!!!!!!!! Gualavo,vagana,kidwell,widders maybe asotasi!!!!!!!! This teams gona be awesome next year lol!
