As part of last week’s celebration of Indigenous Round, the NRL School to Work Program kicked off the festivities with a Cultural Day at AAMI Park.
Students from Sunbury College, Point Cook Secondary School, Parade College, Hallam Senior College, Bundoora Secondary College, Kurunjang and Fountain Gate Secondary College participated in a Cultural Day which involved Yarning Circle Storytelling, and traditional Indigenous games.
As part of the day, Melbourne Storm Coles First Nation Pathway program players Ammaron “AJ” Gudgeon and Seamus King-Smith shared their own personal journeys with the students discussing their experiences moving away from their family, community, and culture to pursue their dreams to play NRL.
AJ highlighted the importance of working hard and remaining focused to achieve your goals. He went on to share his IDQ (I Don’t Quit) camp experience and how he felt a sense of achievement when he completed it.
Neville Mansfield from Sunbury College said, “I had such an absolute blast today, one thing that stood out to me and what I took away from the session was the IDQ Camp. I love this and will absolutely stick by that through my own life”.
Ryan Papenhuyzen also came in to say hello to the students and share his career achievements and the obstacles he has faced and overcome to become an elite athlete within the NRL.
Neville said, “It was so super cool to meet other young mob at other schools, and hearing from Paps, AJ and Seamus gave such great advice for us young mob to take away.”
As part of the NRL School to Work Program, four students were identified to represent Melbourne Storm at the annual Indigenous Youth Summit held in Sydney. Students Charlie Ockenden, Tyison Galway, Vernon Simpson, and Lauren Gittens were chosen, and each presented with their own Melbourne Storm Hoodies by Peter “Robbo” Robinson to proudly wear them as they travel to Sydney.
The day ended with all students attending a Storm squad training session on Gosch’s Paddock. The students then returned on Thursday night to see the squad face the Manly Sea-Eagles as they kicked off the 2022 NRL Indigenous Round. Participating in on-field celebrations, the students held the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags as the players ran out onto the field.
“It was such a deadly night and such a great opportunity to be on field and be a part of the celebrations in front of the crowd. It was so, so deadly.” Neville shared.
