Former NRL and Rugby Union superstar Sonny Bill Williams toured far western New South Wales this week to educate kids about nutrition and how to have healthier lives.
He was accompanied by former international rugby league player Willie Mason, ex-Canterbury Bulldog Reni Maitua and ex-St George backrower Jeff Hardy, all flying out as part of the NSW Rugby League's 'Deadly Blues' campaign.
The retired NRL players held clinics at Menindee, Wilcannia and Broken Hill during a four-day trip across the region.
Willie Mason was a premiership player for the Bulldogs in 2004, and played more than 300 professional games in Australia and Europe.
As an ambassador for the campaign, he said it was important and rewarding to visit remote communities.
"We use rugby league as our platform and we're just trying to educate young kids on a healthy lifestyle and making better choices in life," he said.
"Not just food wise but with manners and all that kind of stuff."
The rugby league clinics were held in partnership with the Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation.
Interim CEO William 'Smiley' Johnstone believed the mix of sport and education was key to the program's success.
"We know our mob loves Rugby League," he said.
"So bringing some iconic First Nations players out certainly grabs the kids’ attention."
City-country divide
The program also targets children early to encourage healthy habits, aiming to prevent chronic disease and smoking in Indigenous communities.
Mason said it was a completely different experience to visiting children the same age in places like Sydney.
"They get everything, and these kids don't get that much, especially out in Wilcannia and Menindee," he said.
"They are very, very rural. They have to come in here [200 kilometres to Broken Hill] to shop.
"There the ones that you've got to try and get at and you've got to educate the kids first."
Mason said his own upbringing had shaped his desire to give back.
"I'm from commission housing ... so I understand the other side of the coin," he said.
"Now I'm in a power position where I can make a difference."
Hope for more visits
It was Maitua and Mason's second trip to the far west. Mason said convincing his former teammate Sonny Bill Williams to make the journey with him was special.
"We're out here and we love it," he said.
"The kid [Williams] is a superstar worldwide. It's unbelievable to have that guy here."
Mason said it was the former Kiwi and All Blacks player's idea to come out with the group.
"He [Williams] wanted to do it," Mason said.
"He said ... 'I want to go out to the proper country'."
Mr Johnstone said he aimed to bring more NRL stars back to the outback soon.
"We hope to bring some more ambassadors later in the year," he said.
