Students at St Joseph’s Catholic School were put through their paces last week when they received a visit from professional rugby union player Paddy Ryan.
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The NSW Waratahs prop arrived at the school during lunch time last Wednesday afternoon, and was quick to join in with the different games the children were playing.
Teacher Katie Moody said all 115 students had the opportunity to hear from Paddy and ask him questions, before he joined the primary kids for a few games of bull-rush and touch.
“Paddy … spoke to the whole school about his career as a rugby union player,” Moody said.
“He allowed an extended question time for the kids to ask him about what it is like playing football professionally.
“He was down to earth, honest and an inspiration for our kids.”
Every child received a Waratahs cap, key ring and sticker set, Moody said.
She said it was a “fantastic opportunity” for the children to have a professional athlete visit the school.
She said the school “absolutely” hoped to hold more rugby union clinics in the future.
“We are very grateful that Paddy could come and visit us and spend time with our kids,” Moody said.
“It's not something that bush kids get to do everyday.”
Far west development officer Angus McDonald said NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) was also keen to visit the area again soon.
He thanked the school and the children for their hospitality and enthusiasm.
“[The visits] are really just about giving back to the kids for all the effort they make … they travel to Sydney to support the Waratahs or to Tamworth or Orange to watch the Country Eagles,” McDonald said.
“[Paddy] didn’t want to make it about skills and drills – he just wanted to chat with them … and just have a good time.
“We’ve got three Wallabies from far west NSW [including Dubbo’s Tom Robertson and Coonamble’s Ned Hannigan], so it’s saying to these kids if you do want be involved in sport, whether it be in management, coaching or as a player, there’s opportunities there.”
NSWRU is planning to run a number of development camps across the Western Plains, including at Nyngan, over the summer school holidays, McDonald said.
And in 2018 they will roll out regular Skype dial-ins to get country kids face-to-face with Waratahs players more often.
“Community rugby is important to us,” McDonald said.
“Connecting with those who might be eight or 10 hours away from Sydney, you can still have a chat to them and get to know them.”
