Braith Anasta, Nate Myles, Matt King, Corey Parker and Anthony Cherrington are among Rugby League stars from the Wests Tigers, Titans, Rabbitohs, Broncos and Roosters who will kick off the Australian leg of the NRL’s month-long Community Carnival this weekend.
As the Warriors wrapped up day two of the their 2013 Community Carnival campaign in Samoa today before heading for Tonga on Sunday, the Titans are preparing to visit 18 Junior Rugby League sign-on days across the Gold Coast area tomorrow ahead of the first full week of the NRL initiative.
On Sunday, Community Carnival activities range from ‘come and try’ clinics with the Broncos across the local Brisbane area, to the Roosters taking part in a friendly game of bowls with the Parkes Junior Rugby League club and the Rabbitohs (Riverina NSW) and Wests Tigers (Southern Highlands NSW) hosting community barbecues.
“Community Carnival is the time of year when we get the chance to get out into the community and say thanks to those people that support Rugby League year in, year out so for the players it is a pretty special time,” said Rabbitohs forward Michael Crocker.
“As well as meeting some of our fans, this year we are also bringing with us some important lessons on how to address bullying.
“It’s also very important to us to get out and support Country Rugby League and the people who are working hard to support the game in the bush.
“We need to give as much back to these people as we can, and the Community Carnival is a great way to show this support, as a game.”
The 12th annual Community Carnival will see more than 350 NRL players deliver Rugby League’s new anti-bullying campaign – “Tackle Bullying” – to 120,000 students across Australia, New Zealand Samoa and Tonga over 28 days.
Players will also hand out 25,000 anti-bullying banner pens, 10,000 water bottles, 3,200 bags, pencil cases and stationery sets, 30,000 wrist bands and 150,000 player and Ambassador cards.
