Usman Khawaja is heading back to school for this summer’s KFC Big Bash. Khawaja, along with Gurinder Sandhu, Mike Hussey and their Sydney Thunder teammates are going back to school this summer as part of the Thunder Local Hero community program launched by KFC Big Bash team, the Sydney Thunder.
The Thunder Local Hero program, one that is free for all schools to sign up to, has already had a number of schools sign up across New South Wales and the ACT, and will see all Sydney Thunder players adopted by schools across the fourth term and into the summer holidays.
Registration for the program is free, and is possible for any school across NSW and the ACT to adopt a Sydney Thunder player.
Each school that registers will receive a Thunder Local Hero activity pack which includes a bio and posters of their player, a schools’ activity pack, school stickers, and a welcome video from their Local Hero.
Throughout the summer, students will continue to receive regular updates from their player via email, video messaging and be able to keep up to date with their progress.
A select number of schools will also win a chance to have a Sydney Thunder player come to their school for a special clinic, as well as the opportunity to win tickets to a Sydney Thunder match.
Sydney Thunder player Mike Hussey was excited about the return of the Local Hero initiative.
‘Last year it was great to be associated with a number of local schools and most importantly to give back to our youngest and most passionate fans’, said Hussey.
‘School kids are some of our greatest supporters so it will be great to be able to return some of that support across the summer.’
Nick Cummins, General Manager of Sydney Thunder said the team was looking forward to connecting with schools throughout NSW and the ACT.
‘Being able to give back to our local communities, schools and families is at the heart of what we are about as a team and we are pleased to be able to connect with them again through the Local Hero initiative’, he said. ‘It is great to have so many schools register last year and we are hoping that even more schools will get involved this year. The players and organisation as a whole cannot wait to connect with the schools within our community and I’m sure each of the players will do their schools proud.’
To find out more about the Thunder Local Hero and register your school head to www.sydneythunder.com.au/localhero.


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