Sonny Bill Donates Jersey Spot to Gotcha4Life

Sonny Bill Williams has donated his back of jersey spot to Gotcha4Life, as well as donating $10,000 to the mental fitness charity.

Due to Williams' Islamic beliefs, he refuses to display the logo of gambling firms, alcohol companies and banks and has negotiated contracts in both rugby league and rugby union which allow him to cover them up.

One of the Roosters' main sponsors is bookmaker Unibet, which has forgone the space on the 35-year-old's jersey for his expected NRL return against the Raiders in round 17, 2020.

"Unibet has been a proud supporter of the Roosters for the last three years," Unibet's general manager Nathan Reeves. "The Roosters touched base with us very early in the piece and we immediately agreed to forego the space to remove any barriers to Sonny’s return.

"While respecting Sonny’s decision, we did not want one of the world’s most recognised athletes to run out with a blank space across his back.”

As a lifelong Roosters fan, Gotcha4Life Chairman and Founder Gus Worland, is understandably excited and humbled by the gesture.

“Someone with Sonny Bill Williams’ reputation and appeal provides a wonderful opportunity to amplify our message, that is, building mental fitness to show you that you can be tough as nails on the field, but also emotionally & mentally resilient off the field. Having the support of SBW, my beloved Roosters & Unibet will help us spread the message to an important audience.

To have a relationship with a team, player and game that I love so much, a game that I can remember going to as a five-year-old, where I fell in love with the Roosters, to have my foundation, my now passion and those two combined is just a dream come true.”

The money raised allows Gotcha4Life to continue to support and run mental fitness workshops and educational training all around the country, with the aim of reversing the decline of poor mental health and reducing suicide.