MATT Soper-Lawler grew up in Cessnock, played for the Maitland Pickers before being selected in the Newcastle Knights under-20’s team, and his brother teaches at King Street Public School (KSPS).
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This “local connection” is what the National Rugby League (NRL) is utilising to spread the ‘wellbeing’ message.
And, if Thursday’s reception at King Street Public School is any indication, the strategy is working.
The aspiring NRL player, and his co-presenter Chris Brennan, had the group listening intently to their engaging presentation.
When they asked a question the students were eager to respond, and their answers were correct.
Proving the message had been heard.
An excited Charlie Smith told The Argus getting enough sleep is important.
“You have to drink water before, during and after exercise,” he adds.
Clearly Matt’s connection to popular KSPS teacher, Josh Ingram, helped him establish an instant rapport with his audience.
Paying out on his older sibling and making comments like “he is the ugly one”, while recalling their games of backyard footy made it feel more like a conversation than a lecture.
Josh says Matt is the perfect person for the job.
He recalls a time when, like most other teens, his younger brother regularly ate junk food like McDonald’s.
Now things have changed with the lean fullback revealing his healthy eating and living habits.
“I have eight Weet-Bix with fruit for breakfast, and I have a chicken and salad wrap for lunch,” he says.
“I train three to four times a week and drink water before, during and after each session.”
Although Matt admits he is allowed to eat junk food one day week.
“I rip in then,” he laughs.
However, it is his message about belonging that really resonates.
“I love rugby league, I have made so many friends, and the friends I have made along the way will be friends for life,” Matt says.
“Have fun, make friends and everything else will work out.”
Matt and other rising stars, like Singleton’s Tom Baker, will be delivering the wellbeing message to primary schools from Newcastle to Merriwa.
Central Hunter and North West NRL development manager Chris Brennan says bullying was the focus last year.
In 2016, the importance of proper hydration, adequate sleep and developing and supporting a strong sense of belonging is what we are promoting, he explains.
He told the children they need 11 hours of sleep a night.
The National Sleep Health Foundation’s Professor Ron Grunstein acknowledges the support and positive initiative of the NRL, and clubs, to engage with local communities and impress important health messages.
“The program being rolled out across Australia and New Zealand provides key messages, including the importance of sleep for young people,” Professor Grunstein says.
“Healthy sleep helps young people be more attentive and learn and perform better, both as students and in their sporting activities.”
All 16 NRL clubs are helping to deliver the wellbeing messages as part of the organisation’s annual Community Carnival.
Throughout February and March, players will visit thousands of young fans in regional and rural towns.
This year, clubs, players and ambassadors are estimated to travel more than 40,000km, visit more than 1000 schools and conduct up to 80 junior league clinics.
NRL chief operating officer Suzanne Young says the NRL Community Carnival visits are an opportunity for rugby league to reach out to thousands of supporters in regional and remote areas, and say thank you ahead of the 2016 Telstra Premiership season.
“Last year, players and ambassadors reached more than 250,000 school children as part of the carnival and we are expecting this year’s program to have an even greater reach and impact,” she says.
“Our communities are the foundations from which rugby league draws its strength and it is important that we continue to educate not just our elite players, but communities further afield, on the importance of living active, healthy and happy lifestyles.”