Each week our special NRL ambassadors will rotate writing duties to bring you up to date with the latest off-field Rugby League news from around the country, including the far-reaching beneficial impacts of dedicated One Community programs. This week Learning with League Centre Teacher Melanie Crinion explains what happens in Rugby League Central’s Learning Centre.
The Learning with League Centre at Rugby League Central in Moore Park gives students the opportunity to participate in activities with a focus on Literacy, Personal Development and Health.
Students engage in these activities to coincide with general positive characteristics of Rugby League including teamwork, support, encouragement, healthy lifestyles and determination.
The three main focus areas of the program are values, teamwork and respect.
Through role plays, group work and mini-challenges, students are encouraged to explore and develop their skills in decision-making, comprehension, problem solving and communication.
Recently Rugby League Central played host to a group of Year 7 and 9 students from Patrician Brothers, Blacktown. The purpose of the visit was for the students to participate in the High School program, focusing on career choices, goal-setting and possible situations they may face in their sporting careers, including mock media interviews.
The boys began their visit with a tour of the Rugby League Museum, where they learnt about many of the fascinating aspects of the game’s past. They saw first-hand some treasures of the game on display in the museum, including playing gear from early days of Rugby League.
Student Luke Sommerton said: “The best part of the museum was seeing the way that equipment has changed over the years, in particular headgear, because I wear it when I play. I also enjoyed holding up the replica NRL trophy.”
Maurice Trindall added: “The best part of the museum was seeing all the trophies and watching the footage from old games. Seeing all the old equipment was fascinating, particularly seeing how different it is to all the gear worn today.”
Following their tour of the museum, the boys visited the Learning with League Centre where they took part in the Dream Believe Achieve program. They watched the Dream section of the DVD and completed activities based on setting personal goals and the importance of following dreams through to the end.
Rugby League Central’s Teacher’s Aide and current South Sydney Rabbitohs under-20s player Saia Tanginoa, ran a mock media session where he interviewed some of the boys following a great win in their schoolboy footy competition. The boys were provided with examples of what they may experience at some stage over the coming years.
Christian Williams commented: “We learned about the importance of setting goals in order to achieve, not only in Rugby League but also at school and other areas of life, too.”
Luke Sommerton said: “The mock media interviews were fun and showed how important it is to be able to speak well in front of the media.”
One Community Ambassadors Nathan Hindmarsh and Mario Fenech popped into the classroom and shared some of their own experiences growing up and trying to make it in the world of Rugby League. The boys also received some pointers from Hindmarsh on the importance of education, staying in school and keeping focused on personal goals.
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In another recent visit students in grades 3-6 from Clairgate Public School made the journey up the M4 to spend a day in the Learning with League Centre at Rugby League Central.
Participating in a program designed for students in Stages 2 and 3, the Western Sydney school’s students took part in a variety of tasks with an overall focus on teamwork, values and respect. The morning session had the students participating in literacy-based activities, where they were challenged to work to the best of their ability in a new environment and think outside the square. The students worked well together in groups to complete the different tasks – and even had the chance to create their very own NRL team.
After a much-deserved lunchbreak outside, the students returned to the classroom to complete their Rugby League-based role plays and drama activities. The challenge of real life interviews, news reports and values-based scenarios were given to the students to perform. Dressing up in their favourite teams’ jerseys, the students transformed into different characters and gave their peers some great performances.
If you would like more information regarding programs available in the Learning with League Centre, please contact Melanie Crinion on 9359 8500 or email mcrinion@nrl.com.au
