Tackling Bullying in an Action Packed Day Two

Bulldogs players James Graham, Moses Mbye, Josh Jackson and recent retiree Corey Payne tackled bullying head on in an action packed second day in Rockhampton, visiting more than 1800 kids from eleven schools, including a local coaching clinic at Webb Park, Yeppoon as part of the annual NRL Community Carnival.

Now in its 12th year the NRL’s Community Carnival includes more than 350 players from each NRL Club, visiting more than 120,000 students over four weeks of activity.

An early wakeup call greeted the group. Corey took care of morning radio obligations, heading to the local Sea FM radio station to present local DJ and long-time Bulldogs supporter Brad – from the Banksy and Brad morning show with his very own signed Bulldogs jersey, whilst the rest of the group trained hard in the gym.

Following breakfast, a sea change beckoned so the group drove 40 minutes east to the Yeppoon area where students at Emu Park and Park Avenue State Schools’ were eagerly waiting the player’s arrival.

“Who thinks Bullying is cool?” Corey queried the group. Not one hand raises and Corey is pleased. “Good job kids – Bullying is definitely not cool and today we will be talking about the different types of bullying and ways you can deal with it if you are being bullied or witness someone else being bullied”.
Paired with James Graham, Corey and James have the full attention of the students and are determined to tackle bullying. The boy’s message is simple, but for a student to hear it from an NRL player the message is strong.

Over the three day visit to Rockhampton the Bulldogs are also encouraging students to try the game of rugby league in which they held a second coaching clinic – this time at Webb Oval – home of the mighty Seagulls.

A terrific turnout ranging from under 6’s through to under 14’s took part in the clinic. The group included a number of familiar faces from the day’s school visits, along with a lot of strong ball runners, up and coming juniors and kids trying the game for the first time.

With only one more day to go, the crocodile is still yet to be spotted, but it has been a very enjoyable and rewarding trip and the group is well and truly looking forward to visiting Frenchville State School, Berserker Street State School, followed by St Anthony’s and St Mary’s schools tomorrow morning.