Memories to last a lifetime as Project Pathfinder crew visit Sydney

A trip to PointsBet Stadium to watch the Sharks play Wests Tigers, a look inside the NRL Bunker and a chance to edit video and present on camera at NRL.com were all part of a massive four days in Sydney for a group of youngsters taking part in the Project Pathfinder program.

A partnership between the NSW Police Force, NRL and Youth Justice NSW, Project Pathfinder provides at risk teenagers from regional areas with mentorships and opportunities to reach their potential.

With NRL Ambassadors Brad Takairangi and Joseph Paulo showing the way, 14-year-old Shayla Smith, 16-year-old Aliarna Dixon, 10-year Nikolas Clarke, 13-year-old Tiarna O'Connor Darby, 12-year-old Euston Dixon and 15-year-old Logan Russell started their trip with an NRL Club Experience at PointsBet Stadium where they watched the Sharks' captain's run and got to meet coach Craig Fitzgibbon, club legend Paul Gallen and a number of the players.

From there it was off to the NSWRL Centre of Excellence for an NRL Officiating Experience followed by a tour of the NRL Bunker that evening to see where all the big calls are made on game day.

A visit to Rugby League Central at Moore Park came on the Friday for the NRL.com Experience where the youngsters got busy on video editing software and had a crack at appearing on camera in the studio.

For former Cook Islands and New Zealand international Takairangi, the chance to spend two days with the youngsters from West Kempsey, Queanbeyan, Woodburn, Windrayne and Orange proved a great experience.

"Coming from the regional areas the kids don't get to see much of the bright lights of the city so to see them get down to Shark Park for captain's run and then meet the refs and go inside the Bunker all in one day, you could just see how much of an eye-opener it was for them," said Takairangi, who played 178 NRL games across a 10-year career at the Roosters, Titans and Eels.

"It was exciting for us to see these kids experience all these things and they loved getting around NRL headquarters on the Friday and getting in front of the cameras at NRL.com, that was all time.

"Speaking to their parents before the Sharks game, they were just over the moon. You could tell how happy they were and they could see a spark in the kids' eyes after they started off a bit nervous on the first day.

"We got lots of nice message from the kids too, saying how much they enjoyed spending time with us and how much it meant... that's the reason why we were passionate about doing work like this, making a difference in kids' lives.

"We were there to share our experiences but then the players made it extra special. We had one of the girls Tiarna, who just wanted a photo with Will Kennedy at captain's run, she got the photo, but she also got his boots, and she will never ever forget that.

"We did some goal setting with the kids on the Friday and we'll have one-on-one mentoring sessions lined up over the next three months.

"We'll touch base with them and make sure they are on track with their goals."

The program has been designed in conjunction with NSWPF and is focused on assisting NSWPF to reduce Indigenous youth crime in regional NSW by providing formal mentoring programs using high-profile NRL and NRLW players.

The participants have been identified by the NSWPF local area commands in regional areas as at risk youth.

As ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM said when the program was launched in April: “Rugby league is more than just a sport. It changes lives for the better. The players know how important their role is in society and it is always great to see the impact they make.

“Project Pathfinder is an important initiative designed to turn the lives of at-risk youths around through mentorship and leadership. I’m very proud of the role which rugby league plays in society and this is another great example.”