February has been a huge month for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, who have been on the road for trials and two international competitions, as well taking the NRL Community Carnival to schools and communities across regional North Queensland.
Cowboys Pat Mago, Tautau Moga and Braden Uele made the trip to Mackay and Proserpine; Javid Bowen, Ben Spina and Shaun Hudson visited Cooktown, Daintree, Bloomfield, Rossville and Mossman; and Sam Hoare, Jahrome Hughes and Patrick Kaufusi travelled to Mount Isa and Camooweal.
The players were joined by NRL game development officers in delivering positive wellbeing messages, with a focus on proper hydration and sleep and encouraging a strong sense of belonging.
Cowboy Sam Hoare said he had loved the trip to north-west Queensland and the opportunity to relay some of the healthy tips that he follows as part of his daily training.
“As a player and an individual, it is really important that I keep my mind and body healthy so that I am performing at my best,” he said.
“I really enjoyed getting out on the road, meeting the locals and providing people with really simple tips to keep happy, healthy and active.”
Tautau Moga, Braden Uele and Pat Mago at St Catherine's Proserpine
This is the sixteenth year of the NRL Community Carnival, where every NRL club, together with NRL ambassadors, visit schools and communities right across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
Clubs, players and ambassadors will travel more than 40,000 kilometres, visit over 1,000 schools and conduct up to 80 junior league clinics as part of the 2016 carnival.
NRL Chief Operating Officer Suzanne Young said the NRL Community Carnival visits were an opportunity for rugby league to reach out to thousands of members and supporters in regional and remote areas and give back ahead of 2016 NRL Telstra Premiership season.
“Our fans are the lifeblood of our game and our clubs and ambassadors do an amazing job in local communities right throughout the year, spending time with kids and educating them on the importance of eating well and staying healthy,” Ms Young said.
Players and ambassadors were armed with two education resources as part of their local visits:
- NRL Wellbeing: Delivered to primary school students, focusing on empowering students to value health and wellbeing in their own lives.
- Dream Believe Achieve: Delivered to high school students, focusing on the important link between having hope and aspirations for the future and maintaining a positive wellbeing.
Shaun Hudson at Bloomfield State School
