The St George Illawarra Dragons brought smiles and laughs to the Orana region last week, visiting schools and holding a community walk to connect with students and fans.
NRL stars Jaydn Su’A and Hayden Buchanan were joined by greats Ricky Walford and Nathan Blacklock for the club’s two-day road trip.
The Blitz made stops at Gilgandra Public School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Gilgandra and Gulargambone Central School and helped out with the Walford, Rose and Wright Shield in Walgett.
Jaydn Su’A said getting involved in a Community Blitz was always a major highlight for the Dragons each year.
“It was such a rewarding trip for Hayden and myself to be a part of,” Mr Su’A said.
“The locals were very welcoming and the kids we worked with brought so much energy and enthusiasm.
“It’s important that we get out to these regional areas and we’re very grateful for Squadron Energy’s support in getting us out there.”
Squadron Energy First Nations Engagement Facilitator Justin Toomey-White said events like the Blitz illustrated the “really important” partnership with the Dragons.
“We’ve been able to come out to communities and do these education-based programs in the schools and the kids have fun whilst they’re doing it and learning about rugby league,” Mr Toomey-White said.
“Seeing the superstars that they often don’t get to see every day is amazing.”
‘Best You Can Be’ Blitz in twelfth year
Each school stop consisted of a series of interactive workshops for local primary students centred around the club’s health and wellbeing program, ‘The Best You Can Be’.
Now in its twelfth year, the program focuses on helping students make positive choices around health and wellbeing.
The workshops include advice on staying active, learning how to practice tolerance, respect, and inclusiveness, the importance of good sleep, screen time management, hydration, and nutrition as well as the important role we play in taking care of the environment.
A Win the Morning event was also held in Coonamble, where locals had the opportunity to meet players and club officials before joining them for a 30-minute walk through the town.
