Parkes was running high on rugby league fever last Thursday when two Penrith Pan- thers players visited local schools as part of the NRL Community Carnival.
Tony Satini and Lachlan Stein visited six schools in the morning to talk about respect and diversity and in the afternoon they were at Cooke Park to meet fans, hand out autographs and pose for photos.
Many children brought shirts and caps to be signed, while the NRL also had post- ers with a team photo of the Panthers that the two players signed for the many fans who turned up. “It is really cool to meet the Panthers players in person,” said a young Parkes player.
The Parkes Marist Junior Rugby League club was also at the Park to sign up players for the year.
The morning sessions at the schools focused on the importance of respect, belonging and celebrating differences both on and off the field.
Game Development Officer – Western NSW, Alex Prout said there were many interesting questions from the students. There were also interactive games with students during the sessions.
The NRL Community Carnival takes players throughout Australia and New Zealand this month to meet fans in more than 80 communities.
Now in its 17th year, the NRL Community Carnival is supported by every NRL club and NRL Ambassadors, and will reach more than 250,000 kids, visit more than 1,000 schools, travel more than 40,000 km and host more than 80 Junior Rugby League clinics in both countries.
Interested players can contact Stuart Duff on 0429 891 716 at the Parkes Marist JRL.
By Maggi Barnard