The Souths Cares team had a huge week in Dubbo, engaging over 3,500 primary and high school students in Rabbitohs Wellbeing Workshops, Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshops and Football Clinics in the lead up to the Rabbitohs Round 11 NRL game.
The team were joined by four Rabbitohs SEDA College students throughout the Dubbo Regional tour, who played a valuable role facilitating football clinics at each school visit and were outstanding ambassadors for their College.
The Regional Tour kicked off on Monday afternoon, with the team delivering Heathy Relationships Workshops, Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshops and Football Clinics to over 80 students from Wongarbon and Geurie Public Schools.
On Tuesday, the Souths Cares team visited Orana Heights Public School, Dubbo Public School and Buninyong Public School and engaged over 760 students in a range of workshops including Gratitude, Health Relationships, Mental Health and Wellbeing as well as Football Clinics at each school. Wellington Aboriginal Corporation also joined the Souths Cares team, delivering their ‘Quit b Fit’ health promotion workshops at each school.
To cap the day off, the Souths Cares team visited Apollo House – a Community Centre in East Dubbo and joined the after-school programs, playing games of Touch football and Handball with the local community.
On Wednesday the team was joined by UNSW and attended Dubbo College Delroy Campus and South Campus to facilitate workshops including Rising Stars, Nutrition, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Football Clinics and to promote tertiary education pathways and opportunities to students. In the afternoon the team visited Lincoln School which is part of the Orana Youth Justice Centre to discuss the importance of setting goals and achieving aspirations.
Lucinda Hardy is the Head Teacher of PDHPE at Dubbo College Delroy Campus, and explained the students engaged well with the physical activity and wellbeing workshops.
“Our students were engaged throughout the workshops and keen to participate in the football clinics. They really enjoyed hearing from the ex NRL players who gave some insight into finding your passion”, Lucinda said.
The team was joined by Rabbitohs player Jed Cartwright from Thursday and visited another three schools including St Johns College, Dubbo North Public School and Mian School, engaging over 650 students. Workshops delivered included Rising Stars, Healthy Relationships, Tertiary Education Pathways with UNSW, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Football Clinics.
In the afternoon, Souths Cares hosted a free Junior League Clinic at Apex Oval in Dubbo, which was attended by approximately 200 people, with UNSW also showcasing their tertiary education pathways and opportunities. The NRL Development team and SEDA College students did a fantastic job facilitating the Junior League clinic, with plenty of junior talent on display in Dubbo.
Former Rabbitohs NRL player and 2014 premiership winner Kyle Turner joined the group on Friday, with the team engaging over 1,200 students from Dubbo South Public School, St Mary’s Primary School and Dubbo West Public School. Workshops facilitated included Healthy Relationships, Gratitude, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Wellington Aboriginal Corporation’s ‘Quit b Fit ‘Program as well as Football Clinics at each school.
Souths Cares Ambassador, Rhys Wesser explained visiting Dubbo was a great experience for everyone involved.
“Visiting Dubbo was a highlight for our team and we were warmly welcomed by the local community. The students were fantastic throughout all our school visits and eager to learn about important wellbeing topics such as Gratitude, Nutrition, Mental Health and Healthy Relationships”, Rhys said.
The Rabbitohs Wellbeing Program is proudly supported by the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation.
