However, it’s the Club’s amazing work in the community that makes the Panthers a true champion club.
In 2026, the Panthers Foundation is expanding its Building Young Men and Empowering Young Women programs in Penrith, which are designed to improve the lives of youngsters in Western Sydney.
The Building Young Men program will celebrate 10 years this year. For the last decade, the program has been involved in providing experienced role models for school students in the Penrith area, delivering activities that build participants’ empathy, accountability and courage.
The Empowering Young Women involves providing young women in Penrith and the Western Sydney community, experienced role models from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, delivering activities that challenge teenage participants’ assumptions and broaden their perspectives with the aim of empowering them to share their experiences, challenges and successes.
Both programs aim to create a stronger understanding and appreciation of gender equality, and its goal is to encourage teenagers to foster a healthy relationships between genders to inspire youngsters to be positive role models for their peers and wider community.
Both programs work in Panthers heartland, from Penrith to Bathurst.
Just last week, on the eve of the Panthers 26-6 win over Cronulla at Carrington Park in Bathurst, the Panthers Foundation announced a partnership with the NSW Office of Sport, to launch a program aimed at reducing domestic, family and sexual violence in the Central West of NSW.
The two-year partnership will see the Panthers Foundation deliver its Building Young Men and Empowering Young Women mentoring programs to teenagers throughout the region.
The Panthers Foundation Head of Foundation and Community Alex Reilly said:
“The support from the Government is greatly appreciated and will allow us to take our tried and tested programs from Penrith to Bathurst, addressing vital social needs in this area.
“We are delighted to be working with the pupils at Bathurst High and look forward to seeing the very real growth they will experience over the course of the mentoring program.
“Our objective as both a Club and a Foundation is to be a source of community pride and that very much extends to ensuring our young people are also role modelling behaviours that makes their community proud of them.
“Being able to partner with the government address a very real problem in a proactive and preventative way aligns strongly with our values and we once again thank the Government and the minister for their support.”
The Panthers Foundation also recently celebrated International Women’s Day with a special luncheon, honouring the remarkable impact of its Empowering Young Women program and the inspiring work being done to support and uplift the next generation of women.
With the Panthers set to play their opening home game next Saturday against Parramatta at Commbank, it is also a chance for the Club to launch its 2026 50-50 charity raffle.
The Panthers have so far raised over $308,000 from the raffle over the past few years. With a huge crowd expected next Saturday for the local derby, the Club is expecting to raise plenty more thanks to the generosity of their amazing and passionate fanbase.
After three wins in a row to kickstart their 2026 campaign, it is fair to say the Panthers are scoring tries and kicking goals on and off the field.
