As school sports captain and a player for the Under 12 Lowood Stags team, Jasper Kumar was always going to be excited to see NRL and NRLW players come and visit his school.
Attending Lowood State School on the third day of the Ipswich leg of their ‘Your Local Club’ Road to Regions tour, Gold Coast Titans trio Evania Pelite, Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell and the recently retired Anthony Don swapped rugby league stories and shared life tips with student as part of the NRL's League Stars Inspire program.
“The students here enjoyed the session very much,” Jasper said.
“Today we learnt not to give up and when we win, show good sportsmanship towards the other team. Also, we learnt to try hard.
“I think other students who don’t do as much sports also enjoyed the session today and can apply the lessons to their life.”
Focusing on respect, health and wellbeing and inclusion / diversity, through the Inspire program, primary school aged students are encouraged to help bring about positive change in their own communities.
Recently returned from winning the Rugby League World Cup title with the Jillaroos, Pelite – who earlier this month also travelled to Northern Rivers in New South Wales with Aaron Booth to help deliver the program there – said she was thrilled to be able to give back to loyal rugby league communities such as Ipswich.
The sessions have been seen as a good way to help reconnect rugby league with the community at the grassroots level after years of major disruption due to COVID-19, coupled with the recent flooding in 2022 that decimated the area.
“It's been really good experience getting out to all the regional towns,” Pelite told NRL.com.
“The kids out here have all been super grateful, so it's been really nice to deliver the program for them.
“Everything we’re teaching them is not just football related; it's things that they can take away with them and use in everyday life.
“The three main points we're teaching them is resilience, support and gratitude, so I think they're really important things for kids to learn now while they're in school and they can take those lessons with them into the future.”
For Ipswich game development officer Brittney Lovelock, the visits to local schools and clubs in and around Lowood, Rosewood, Ripley Valley, Woodcrest, Springfield, Ashwell, Mount Marrow, Glamorgan and Mount Tarampa, were a good way for the game to reconnect with the community.
“This program is perfect for our little country schools, they don’t get to see many NRL and NRLW players in their community, let alone turn up to their school,” Lovelock said.
“The health and wellbeing inspire program is all about teamwork, support, inclusion and it's just spreading the message that rugby league isn't just about playing the game, it's about the community.
“This is one way of bringing the students together in a school setting and at a junior rugby league club, it is so rewarding to come out and give these kids an opportunity.”
As well a building community connections, it is hoped more awareness of the game will help support participation growth across the Ipswich to get more players like Jasper to be part of a club.
Key stakeholders from the NRL, Queensland Rugby League and representatives from Rugby League Ipswich recently identified Ipswich as a priority location and have put on events such as Play Something Unreal Festival as well as a local school blitz with Road to Regions to raise awareness of rugby league to families.
“While rugby league is what is bringing us together, the good thing is, you don't just have to be a player,” Lovelock said.
“You can be a volunteer at a club. You can be a coach, a referee; there's so many different pathways to be a part of this big community that's continuing to grow.
“Connection is definitely important. A lot of the students, they will make new friends, whether that's in a team or just going to their local club … it’s definitely about making a lot of new connections and connections in the community.”
Throughout the week of Road to Regions, NRL Game Development have also facilitated coach updates to help support volunteer coaches for season 2023.
Find out more about the ‘Your Local Club’ Road to Regions tour featuring visits from players and game development staff in schools across Australia and New Zealand.