NRL’s Community Carnival kicked off across Australia today

Parramatta’s Jarryd Hayne was king of the kids, Titan Esi Tonga was quizzed about his favourite fruits while teachers and students on the Central Coast dressed up in rival team colours as the NRL’s Community Carnival kicked off across Australia today.

Parramatta’s Jarryd Hayne was king of the kids, Titan Esi Tonga was quizzed about his favourite fruits while teachers and students on the Central Coast dressed up in rival team colours as the NRL’s Community Carnival kicked off across Australia today.

 

NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, and the NRL All Stars team officially launched the Community Carnival in Blacktown, in Sydney’s west, as more than 500 NRL players and development officers began visiting schools and holding coaching clinics across the country.

 

Eels hero Hayne was swamped by fans at Blacktown’s H.E. Laybutt Field today, happily posing for photographs and signing autographs before joining the NRL All Stars for a Backyard League clinic reminiscent of his own days growing up playing footy in Minto.

At Logan, in Queensland, someone forgot to tell Woodridge North teacher Shane Goswell that it was the kids who were supposed to the most excited spectators when the Titans dropped in to visit.

 

Dressed from head to toe in Gold Coast colours – including painting his face with zinc – the self-confessed Titans tragic led a chorus of support for the players’ efforts in the community.

 

“It’s made my year having the Titans come to my school, the kids and I were so excited,” Mr Goswell said.

 

“The fact that they gave up their time to come and visit is such a thrill.”

On the Central Coast, children dressed in Manly jerseys while teachers stirred the pot by wearing Wests Tigers gear (Manly’s Round 1 opponents) as Sea Eagles stars such as Michael Robertson, Josh Perry and David Williams delivered the game’s Eat Well Play Well Stay well health message.

 

At Toyota Stadium, Sharks stars Paul Gallen, Trent Barrett, John Morris, Paul Aiton, Adam Cuthbertson and Nathan Stapleton joined 350 children from across the Shire for a special skills clinic before taking the Eat Well Play Well Stay Well message to more schools on the Central Coast.

 

Queensland Origin forward Matt Scott proved a hit with the kids at Prosperine as Cowboys stars embarked on a school blitz that will reach 13,000 students across 52 schools.

 

While Tonga talked about his love of rockmelon and pineapple as he was quizzed on his favourite foods, Titans team-mate Luke O’Dwyer returned to his old school at Banora Point to inspire others to follow in his footy footsteps.

 

“It’s always good to get back there and be able to relate to the kids from a small school to show that you can make it to the NRL,” O’Dwyer said.

 

The Community Carnival continues today as NRL players visit 400 schools in 78 communities stretching from Sydney to Perth, into far north Queensland, New Zealand and throughout rural and regional NSW and Queensland, handing out 6500 footballs, 30,000 posters and 500 Eat Well Play Well Stay well DVDs and classroom resource packs.

 

From helping students build community recreation areas, to school and hospital visits, junior coaching clinics and inspiring children to lead healthy and active lives, the game’s ninth Community Carnival will provide a focal point for the tens of thousands of hours that NRL clubs and stars dedicate each year to helping those in need.

 

For more information on Rugby League’s Community Carnival and the Harvey Norman All Stars, log on to www.nrl.com.

 

Tuesday 9th February

Team Location Players Activity

Storm

Corowa, Wodonga, Wangaratta Group 1 – Cooper Cronk, Dane Chisholm, Gareth Widdop, Justin O’Neil, Luke Kelly, Dane Neilson

Group 2 - Matt Duffie, Luke MacDougall, Brett Finch, Sam Joe, Jesse Bromwich, James Woolford.

Group 3 Louis Fanene, Sinbad Kali, Sione Kite, Ryan Tandy, Sika Manu, Brett White.

6.30pm Group 1 – Corowa JRLFC

Group 2 Wodonga JRLFC

Group 3 Wangaratta JRLFC

Bulldogs

(Players will visit two shopping malls and Dubbo Hospital)

Dubbo Andrew Ryan, Corey Payne, Danny Williams and Gary Warburton 11.15am Dubbo Cento Shopping Centre visit; 1.30pm Dubbo Base Hospital visit. 3pm Orana Mall shopping centre visits.

Cowboys

(Players will visit 52 schools and 13,000 children through the week) Tully, Ingham, Mission Beach Scott Bolton, Clint Amos, Steve Southern 6pm Training with Ingham Crushers at Ingham Showground

Bowen, Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Cannonvale Matt Scott, Leeson Ah Mau, Isaak Ah Mau 1.30pm Bowen Special Education Unit

Raiders

(Players will visit 55 schools and 11,000 children through the week) Wagga Wagga, Narooma, Gundagai, Tumut, Cootamundra Whole squad

Visiting schools across Wagga before 4pm Field Session (EQUEX Centre): Wrestling & Opposed Games;

Junior registration Stalls; Autograph Signings following session (Approx 5.30pm)

Rabbitohs

(Players will visit 7 schools and 1033 children in this area) Nyngan, Bourke Kane Morgan, Beau Champion, Luke Capewell, Brendan Barnes 3.30pm Davidson Oval junior League sign on.

(Players will visit 6 schools and 1700 kids) Coffs Harbour Scott Geddes, Fetuli Talanoa, Eddy Pettybourne, Ben Lowe 4pm Junior league sign on and activities Woolgoolga Sport and Rec Ground

Sharks

(Players will visit 7 schools and 1110 children in this area) Walgett Luke Douglas, Kade Snowden, Broderick Wright, Josh Cordoba, Grant Millington 1.15pm Walgett Hospital visit

Roosters

Sydney Football Stadium Whole squad 9.30am – 2.30pm Skills Clinic

Titans Logan Esi Tonga, Brad Meyers, Aaron Cannings, Josh Graham, Mark Minichiello, Greg Bird, Will Matthews, Kayne Lawton 1.30-2pm Springwood Central State School visit.

Northern Rivers Matt White, Shannon Walker, Mat Rogers, Luke O’Dwyer, David Mead, Ben Ridge, Anthony Laffranchi, Riley Brown, Kelvin Menchin, Mike Donnelly, Shaun Davidson, Warwick Browne, John Cartwright 4pm Red Devil Park Junior League Clinic

Ipswich William Zillman, Michael Henderson, Joseph Tomane, Bodene Thompson, Kevin Gordon, Jordan Atkins, Sam Tagataese, Clinton Toopi, Marshall Chalk 5.50pm Ipswich Cyril Connell Cup and Mal Meninga Cup team training and BBQ.

 

Wednesday 10th February

Location Teams Players Activity

Corowa, Wodonga Wangaratta Storm Group 1 – Cooper Cronk, Ryan Tandy.

 

Group 2 - Brett Finch, Sam Joe.

 

Group 3 - Brett White, Luke MacDougall. 10.30am Group 1 St Patrick’s Primary School.

 

9am Group 2 Melrose Primary School.

 

11.30am Group 3 Wodonga SSC

Belmore

(Western Sydney skills coaching blitz) Bulldogs

Eels

Panthers

Wests Tigers

(500 students from 10 schools will be in attendance) Bulldogs - Bryson Goodwin, Tim Brown, Brett Kimmorley, Michael Ennis, Tim Winitana, Michael Hodgson.

 

Eels – Timana Tahu, Eric Grothe, Jeff Robson, Joel Reddy, Anthony Mitchell, Etu Uaisele

 

Panthers – Kevin Kingston, David Simmons, Joel Romelo, Wade Graham, Masada Loesefa, Tim Grant

 

Wests Tigers – Robert Lui, Keith Galloway, Mitch Brown, Aaron Woods 10.30am – 12pm Skills clinic at Belmore Oval

Parramatta Stadium

(Western Sydney skills coaching blitz) Bulldogs

Eels

Panthers

Wests Tigers

(500 students from 10 schools will be in attendance) Eels – Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Smith, Feleti Mateo, Justin Poore, Tom Humble, Taniela Lasalo.

 

Bulldogs – Ben Barba, Lee Te Maari, Daniel Harrison, Jarrad Hickey, Nathan Smith, Martin Taupau

 

Wests Tigers – Tim Moltzen, Blake Ashyford, Liam Fulton, Tame Tupou. 10am – 2pm: Skills clinic and Eat Well Play Well Stay Well presentation at Parramatta Stadium

Windsor Bulldogs

Eels

Panthers

Wests Tigers

(500 students from 10 schools will be in attendance) Penrith – Luke Lewis, Trent Waterhouse, Petero Civoniceva, Michael Gordon, Luke Walsh, Shane Elford, Lachlan Coote, Adrian Purtell, Nathan Smith, Nigel Plum, Matt Bell.

 

Eels – Nathan Cayless, Luke Burt, Daniel Mortimer, Shane Shackleton, Justin Horo, Jonathon Wright

 

Bulldogs – Blake Green, Dene Halatau, Heka Nanai, Junior Tia-Kilifi, Steve Turner

 

Wests Tigers – Jason Cayless, Junior Roqica, Matt Hyland, Nu Akeripa 10am – 12pm: Skills clinic and Eat Well Play Well Stay Well presentation at CUA Stadium

Venue TBA Bulldogs

Eels

Panthers

Wests Tigers

(500 students from 10 schools will be attending) Wests Tigers –Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Simon Dwyer

 

Eels – Fui Fui Moi Moi, Matt Keating, Tim Mannah, Brendan Oake, Krisnan Inu, Kris Keating

Bulldogs - Brad Morrin, Mickey Paea, Luke Patten, Ben Roberts, David Stagg, Shane Neumann

 

Panthers - Frank Pritchard, Sam McKendry, Greg Waddell, Daniel Penese, Ben McFadgen, Gavin Cooper VENUE TBA 10.30 – 11.30 Backyard League Clinics.

 

Nyngan, Bourke Rabbitohs

(Players will visit 7 schools and 1033 children in this area) Kane Morgan, Beau Champion, Luke Capewell, Brendan Barnes 1.45pm Nyngan Hospital

Ballina/Lennox Head Titans Matt White, Shannon Walker, Mat Rogers, Luke O’Dwyer, David Mead, Ben Ridge, Anthony Laffranchi, Riley Brown, Kelvin Menchin, Mike Donnelly, Shaun Davidson, Warwick Browne, John Cartwright 4pm Stan Payne Oval Junior League Clinic

Ipswich Titans William Zillman, Michael Henderson, Joseph Tomane, Bodene Thompson, Kevin Gordon, Jordan Atkins, Sam Tagataese, Clinton Toopi, Marshall Chalk 9.30am Ipswich Hospital visit

 

 

Thursday 11th February

Team Location Players Activity

Broncos

(Players will visit 7 schools and 2000 children) Emerald, Capella, Tieri Nick Kenny, Ashton Sims, Corey Parker, Ben Te’o 3.30pm Emerald Hospital Visit.

Broncos (Players will visit 4500 children today) Wamuran,

Beerwah, Palmwoods,

Nambour, Cooroy,

Pomona, Cooran, Gympie Matt Gillett, Antonio Winterstein, Andrew McCullough, Alex Glenn 4.30pm Gympie Junior Grounds - Skills Clinic/sign-on – Jack Stokes Oval, Smith Road, Monkland

Logan Titans Esi Tonga, Brad Meyers, Aaron Cannings, Josh Graham, Mark Minichiello, Greg Bird, Will Matthews, Kayne Lawton 3.45-5pm Marsden State High School Backyard League Clinic

 

Dragons

(Players will visit 325 children today) Perth Whole squad 1.30-5.00pm School & Junior Clinic North Beach RL Ground & Perth Children’s Hospital visit

Knights

(Players will visit 11 schools and 5000 children in today) Denman, Aberdeen Cameron Ciraldo, Isaac DeGois, Richard Fa'aoso, Adam MacDougall, James McManus, Wes Naiqama, Junior Sau, Zeb Taia, Dan Tolar, Akuila Uate 4pm Club Rego Clinic Denman (90 mins) and Club Rego Clinic Aberdeen (90 mins)

 

Friday 12th February

Team Location Players Activity

Broncos

(Players will visit 4 schools and 1000 children today) Emerald Ashton Sims, Nick Kenny, Ben Te'o, Corey Parker 11am Capricornia On Air lesson.

(Players will visit 10 schools and 1,700 children today) Murgon, Nanango, Blackbutt, Yarraman Alex Glenn, Antonio Winterstein, Matt Gillett, Andrew McCullough Skills Clinic/ Sign on 9:00am at Murgon Show Grounds

Roosters Rotorua, NZ Jason Ryles, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Atherton Braith Anasta, Mitchell Aubusson

Knights Tamworth Ben Cross, Scott Dureau, Matt Hilder, Shannon McDonnell, Jarrod Mullen, George Ndaira, Steve Simpson, Mark Taufua, Evarn Tuimavave, Cooper Vuna 4.30-5.30pm Skills clinic Scully Park

 

Thursday 18th February

 

Team Location Players Activity

Broncos

(Players will visit 14 schools and 1,500 children today) Mitchell, Injune, Wallumbilla, Miles, Chinchilla PJ Marsh, Steve Michaels, Ben Hunt, Gerard Beale

 

 

Friday 19th February

Team Location Players Activity

Broncos

(Players will visit 8 schools and 2,000 children today) Roma, St George, Surat PJ Marsh, Steve Michaels, Ben Hunt, Gerard Beale