Rugby League Coaching Manuals

More than 100 NRL stars armed with 25,000 autograph cards, 10,000 posters and 10,000 footballs will this week take part in the biggest ever Rugby League Community Carnival in the game’s history.

NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, ARL Chief Executive, Mr Geoff Carr and CRL Chief Executive, Mr Terry Quinn, will join the likes of Terry Campese, Ryan Hoffman, Rhys Wesser, Aaron Payne, Mark O’Meley, Ben Ross, Scott Prince and Chris Heighington as they visit more than 50 communities across two countries and three states and territories.

Officials are today putting together the finishing touches to the three-day carnival, which runs from Wednesday, February 4, to Friday, February 6, and brings together NRL stars in communities across the Northern Territory, regional NSW, Queensland and Victoria, as well as New Zealand. 

Bulldogs recruit Ben Hannant will join team-mate Jamal Idris, Broncos star Sam Thaiday, Cowboys pair Shane Tronc and John Williams plus Dragons Dan Hunt and Nick Emmett in the Cape York region and says he can’t wait to be involved. 

“I am extremely excited about going to a new part of Australia, and I am very keen to get out in the community and visit the local kids,” Hannant said.

NRL Director of Community Relations, Trish Crews, says the Carnival gives fans a great chance to meet the game’s elite players.

“This is the sixth time the NRL has embarked on the Community Carnival,” Crews said.

“Players will be visiting schools, hospitals and local Rugby League clubs as well as being involved in a range of activities including autograph sessions, skill clinics and poster giveaways.

“They will be encouraging people to get involved in their local Rugby League club and encouraging children to get active and live a healthy lifestyle.”

A feature of this year’s carnival will be the launch of Rugby League’s Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well health program that aims to use the high profile of NRL stars to communicate positive health messages to children and families and help reduce incidences of childhood obesity. 

For more information on Rugby League’s Community Carnival, log on to www.nrl.com.