Dragons drop into schools across St George and Illawarra regions for Community Blitz
The Dragons squad were split up across the St George and Illawarra regions on Monday morning as the team visited multiple schools as part of the club's annual Community Blitz.
Less than 24 hours after the Dragons' Pre-Season Challenge win over the Roosters, a wide array of the club's NRL stars paid visits to local schools.
Flanked by the NRL's Game Development Officers, the players helped spread a message on the importance of resilience as well as other essential rugby league skills.
After an educational chat, the players helped run minigames designed to give the students a taste of rugby league.
A collection of players visited Penshurst, Sans Souci, Beverly Hills, Arkana College, St Thomas More's Catholic, St Francis Xavier Catholic and Peakhurst West whilst others popped into Russell Vale, Stanwell Park, Tarrawanna, Wollongong, Gwynneville, St Therese Catholic, Figtree Heights, Koonawarra, Lakelands, Nazareth Catholic, Barrack Heights, St Francis Assisi Warrawong, Berkeley West, Warilla and Mt Terry.
It proved a special outing for Tyrell Sloan who reconnected with teachers at Koonawarra Public School – the school he attended as a kid.
"I played a lot of footy here growing up and I guess every recess and lunch probably got a thousand games here under my belt," Sloan said.
"It's good to be back here. Not much has changed, so it still feels like home and it's always a pleasure. I think each and every year when I've been in grade, I've been able to have the opportunity to come back and see the kids and some of the old teachers that taught me here are still here."
One of those teachers was Kendall Thurgate who taught Tyrell and his older brother during their time at the school.
"He's always willing to come back to events like this and our fetes and give up his time wherever he can around his busy schedule," Thurgate said.
"It's all about community for him and the kids and this is where he spent a lot of time, and he hasn't forgotten it... It means the world to [the kids] and shows them about fitness and choosing healthy lifestyles and stuff like that and how important those decisions are. And to get one of our own back, plus the other boys, is wonderful."
The visits marked a key event for recruit Valentine Holmes – who visited Sans Souci alongside Jaydn Su’A and Nathan Lawson – as he continues building his relationship with the club's community.
"It's a great concept and it's good we've got various schools around," Holmes said.
"We've got boys down there in the Illawarra and boys in the St George area around here, so it's good that all the whole team's out, they're all doing it, getting amongst it. Even after we played yesterday, it's something I feel like the boys really enjoy. A lot of the boys have kids themselves, so it's something they really take to heart and really want to get the message out there."
"It's something I feel like the boys really enjoy. A lot of the boys have kids themselves, so it's something they really take to heart and really want to get the message out there."
Cody Ramsey, who made his long-awaited return to the field over the weekend, was excited to get the opportunity to conduct more school visits after he went on the club's Central West Blitz in 2024.
"It's awesome. Our Community Team do a great job with getting us out and about and doing the schools," Ramsey said.
"I did the Central West Blitz last year and it made me remember when I was a kid. All I wanted to do was meet my heroes and now I get the opportunity to do it, so you'd take it very seriously. I've never been to a school that hasn't enjoyed the time that we've given them. It just brightens your day up. I know the kids will talk about it to their family and whatnot, so that's what makes it so special."
Parents are encouraged to sign their kids up for your nearest 'Come and Try Junior Rugby League' clinics in your local community. More info please visit: https://www.playrugbyleague.com
