Rugby league identities Brad Fittler, Greg Inglis and Yasmin Meakes proved a huge hit at the John Longmuir Playing Fields last Sunday afternoon, as the NRL HOGS National Tour included a stop in Gunnedah.
Day one of the tour involved a trek from Penrith to Gunnedah, as part of a schedule from February 8 to March 1 featuring visits to numerous NSW, Queensland and Victoria regions.
The annual tour aims to celebrate and promote rugby league in the community, as well as promote junior participation.
Nearly 200 children ranging from three to 18 years registered for last Sunday’s HOGS event in Gunnedah, involving numerous activities, games, skills and drills.
One game resembled pass the parcel, with a football used instead of a parcel.
Healthy living was also promoted, with Foodbank supplying plenty of fruit.
With Fittler and Inglis having had illustrious careers in men’s rugby league while Meakes continues to carve out an illustrious career in women’s rugby league, the trio also took the time to sign autographs and pose for photos.
The event used to be run by the NSWRL and was called ‘Hogs for the Homeless’, which supported Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off the Streets organisation.
Fr Riley died last year at the age of 70, following many years of devotion to helping young people experiencing disadvantage.
Fittler said Fr Riley “made a big impact” on his life, and that the NRL had a School to Work program.
“Talking to kids, they leave school, they lose their friend, people go away,” he said.
“It’s a real challenging time so the league run a great program.
“That’s what we’re trying to raise money for.”
Fittler said a distinct memory he had as a youngster involved former Parramatta, NSW and Australia rugby league heroes Steve Ella and Brett Kenny.
“I had a photo of Steve Ella in the newspaper, and Brett Kenny came to our school,” Fittler recalled.
“I lived in that area at the time.
“I vividly remember everything about it.
“I chatted with Steve Ella and every time I see him now, we have this great rapport with each other.”
Meakes (also known as Yasmin Clydsdale) said she loved the community feel, and loved how everyone from three to 18 years of age was “just jumping in and having fun” while there were also parents throwing a football around with their children before the clinic started.
“I love being in communities; it’s one of my favourite things about being an NRLW player,” she said.
As captain of the Newcastle Knights NRLW team, Meakes said she loved seeing girls wearing a Knights jersey.
“Hopefully we’re inspiring them to hopefully one day be an NRLW player,” she said.
While NRLW players are yet to become full-time professionals, Meakes said “there’s definitely a genuine pathway for girls at the moment, and it’s going to happen one day, hopefully”.
“At the moment I feel like having to balance full-time work with NRLW has made me a more well-rounded person, but also it’s definitely rewarding being able to give back to community while I’m in the position I am,” she said.
Yasmin Meakes hands the football to Isobella Newton during the HOGS National Tour. The Newcastle Knights NRLW captain, Meakes, said she loved seeing girls wearing a Knights jersey.
South Sydney Rabbitohs fan Adam Meikle with Greg Inglis during last Sunday’s HOGS visit.