The St George Illawarra Dragons proudly teamed up with Squadron Energy to continue their 2024 Community Blitz program, visiting four local schools in the South West Slopes region.
As part of the initiative, the Dragons facilitated a series of interactive workshops for students focused on the ‘The Best You Can Be’ health and wellbeing program.
NRLW players Tara McGrath-West and Keele Browne, along with Community Manager Adam Bezzina, led the sessions, encouraging students to get active while teaching strategies for making positive health and wellbeing choices.
The workshops covered topics including physical health, tolerance, respect, and inclusivity, as well as the importance of sleep, screen time management, hydration, nutrition, and caring for the environment.
Tara McGrath-West, an NRLW player and Harden local, led many of the sessions across the South West and shared her personal tips on staying healthy.
“These school visits, made possible through our partnership with Squadron Energy, are incredibly important to us,” McGrath-West said.
“It’s a chance to return to the area where I grew up, and visit the towns where I played footy as a kid. It’s so rewarding to be able to make a difference by educating students in my hometown on how they can take better care of themselves, while also inspiring those who want to pursue a career in rugby league.”
She continued, “I believe in the power of ‘seeing is believing,’ and I’m grateful to show these students that achieving their goals is possible, even if they come from a small country town. We focus on practical advice, like getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and looking after your mental health through journaling and techniques like box breathing.”
Grant Stepien, Operations Manager at Bango Wind Farm, praised the clinics as a great opportunity for local students.
“It’s wonderful to have this community program in the South West Slopes after it was successfully rolled out in the Central West earlier this year,” Mr Stepien said.
“Sport is a fantastic way for communities to come together and share their passion. It was inspiring to see the Dragons in the region this week, motivating the next generation to be the best they can be, both on and off the field.”
Squadron Energy, the operator of Bango Wind Farm—located 14km south of Boorowa and 30km north of Yass—generates enough electricity to power 144,000 NSW homes.
This marks the first season of Squadron Energy’s partnership with the Dragons, who have now conducted four regional visits, with more planned for the future.
