Skill360 Australia Northern Pride, through the Take Pride Program, has begun its latest Community Blitz, visiting more than 2,500 youngsters across Far North Queensland over a six-week period.
The annual blitz sees Pride players visit 27 communities and 25 schools in the region, promoting junior rugby league, and delivering inspirational messages to children.
The visits include communities and schools in the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area, Cape York Peninsula, the Gulf of Carpentaria, Mount Isa, and remote outback towns such as Richmond, Hughenden and Cloncurry.
Former State of Origin, North Queensland Cowboys and current Pride captain Ty Williams, along with retiring full-back Chey Bird, are just two players visiting local schoolchildren.
“The visits are aimed to further increase participation rates for the greatest game of all,” said Northern Pride Chief Executive Officer Chris Sheppard.
“The players will be holding rugby league clinics, but they will also be highlighting other important everyday activities for children, such as good nutrition, reading programs and supporting school attendance.
“It’s a real thrill for the kids to meet the players, and they love visiting the communities and putting some smiles on youngsters’ faces, as well as delivering important messages.
“I’d like to thank our Take Pride Program supporters, who make this really important program possible.”
The blitz will see the Pride visit every community in Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria, including the two-day Under 11s Western Cape Development Camp in Weipa, and the Central Cape Suns (Weipa Junior Rugby League) season break-up.
2012 Northern Pride Community Blitz:
October 4 – 7 Thursday Island
October 8 – 9 NPA
October 17 Pormpuraaw
October 18 Kowanyama
October 19 Coen
October 22 Lockhart River
October 23 Mapoon
October 24 Aurukun
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October 25 – 26 Mod Camp, Weipa
October 29 Mt Garnet, Ravenshoe
October 30 Croydon, Forsayth, Georgetown, Mt Surprise
October 31 Karumba, Normanton
November 1 Normanton
November 5 Doomadgee
November 7 – 8 Mornington Island
November 9 – 12 Mount Isa
November 13 Cloncurry, Julia Creek
November 14 Richmond, Hughenden
November 15 Homestead, Pentland, Prairie
November 16 Greenvale