RUGBY LEAGUE
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Shellharbour are aiming for an improved showing when they host Wests in Friday night's Nicole Fitzsimons Charity Shield clash at Ron Costello Oval.
The Sharks have returned to Group Seven in 2014 after five years in the Illawarra competition.
They were soundly beaten by cross-town rivals Warilla in the annual Jarrod Morgan Shield match a fortnight ago and are keen to give a better account of themselves against the Jason Ryles-coached Devils.
"We're still down a few players because of injuries but it should be a highly competitive game which will be played in the right spirit of the occasion," Sharks chairman Allan Coady said.
"Hopefully we'll get a good turnout."
Entry to Friday's match is a gold coin and all proceeds will be donated to The Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation.
Nicole died after being hit by a car while riding a scooter with her fiance, Jamie Keith, in Thailand in November, 2012.
The 24-year-old was a passionate St George Illawarra fan and had just secured a coveted job as a production assistant with Channel Nine's NRL Footy Show when she was tragically killed.
One of the main aims of the The Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation is to raise awareness of travel safety overseas and highlight the importance of purchasing travel insurance before heading abroad.
Jamie has played with Shellharbour and Wests and both clubs were keen to set up a charity game in support of the foundation.
"Wests won the inaugural Nicole Fitzsimons Charity Shield last year and hopefully we'll be able to proudly display it at our club this year," Coady said.
"Both clubs are pleased to be part of such a worthy cause and the goal is to make the game an annual fixture on the pre-season calendar for many years to come."