Sixty Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori students from Australia and New Zealand will be taught life skills by some of Rugby League’s most influential players, including Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Manu Vatuvei and Corey Parker when they gather in camp on the Gold Coast next week for the 2015 NRL All Stars Indigenous Youth Summit.
The Youth Summit, now in its fourth year, is part of the 2015 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars week with students arriving on Tuesday February 10 to participate in workshops that enhance skills and knowledge in the following three areas; Cultural knowledge; Success at school; Success post school.
The Year 11, Australian, and Year 12, New Zealand students have been selected from a group of over 10,000 who are currently participating in NRL Club Community Programs. They will travel from areas across NSW, QLD, Victoria, and the ACT, as far away as New Zealand and as remote as Mt Isa.
Highlights of their week will include; cultural sessions with both the Indigenous and NRL All Stars squads, participation in a 'job application' workshop, vying for the title of All Stars Youth Ambassador, and attending a session at Griffith University, where they will both explore tertiary study options and meet a number of current Indigenous university students.
NRL Ambassadors Preston Campbell, Jharal Yow Yeh and Nathan Merritt will also spend time with the students throughout the week. The four day camp will then finish with attendance at the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars match, where they will take part in the on-ground activities at Cbus Super Stadium.
NRL Head of One Community, Adam Check said, “The Youth Summit brings together students from all walks of life."
"This is a great opportunity for the group to get to know their peers from other areas across Australia and New Zealand and to learn from our Indigenous and NRL All Stars players and coaches as well as program mentors and their own peers.
"All workshops are hands on and interactive, ensuring a fun and engaging method for learning such important concepts and they are skills which they can continue to develop as they enter the final stages of their schooling and tertiary education."
Youth Summit attendees: Latia Schefe (Broncos), Matarley Hutchinson (Broncos), Bryce Ingrey-Ferris (Bulldogs), Stevie Tritton (Bulldogs), Matthew Rowe (Bulldogs), Cindy Cavanagh (Bulldogs), Connor Singh (Clontarf), Dean Davis (Clontarf), Elijah Tighe (Clontarf), Zaiden Britt (Clontarf), Alex Musu (Cowboys), Jonte Kennedy (Cowboys), Shaleece Johnstone (Cowboys), Mershayla Skelton (Cowboys), George Reuben (Cowboys), Meggan Priest (Cowboys), Donovan Chong (Cowboys), Andrea Daniels (Dragons), Shannon Kinsela (Dragons), Rory Archer (Dragons), Mozes Olsen (Dragons), Tahlia Furner (Sea Eagles), Kotoni Staggs (Sea Eagles), Karen May (Sea Eagles), Cheyenne Cruse (Eels), Sammy Ablett (Eels), Kendell Wilson (Eels), Jaydon Lonergan (Eels), Travis Dargan (Eels), Archie Davison (Panthers), Tre Jackson (Panthers), Shontay Bolt (Panthers), Jade Williams (Panthers), Sherice Jackson (Panthers), Matthew Field (Panthers), Brittney Simpson (Rabbitohs), Aaron Simpson (Rabbitohs), Sebastian Kris (Raiders), Savannha Roberts (Sharks), Kyla Gordon (Sharks), Kyle Timbery (Sharks), Kaitlyn Carstairs (Storm), Kyle Crilly (Storm), Jamarl Firebrace (Storm), Jacklyn Connor (Wests Tigers), Thomas Marshall (Wests Tigers), Jade Kennedy (Wests Tigers), Jai French (Wests Tigers), Illayna Henderson (Titans), Trae Simons (Titans), Aimy Park (Titans), Tahni Holmes (Titans), Tayla Hammant (Titans), Layla Mackenzie (Titans), Keegan Hooper (Titans), Tristian Northard (Titans), Truce Tuki (Warriors), Tuake Pohatu (Warriors), Jessica Moki (Warriors), Manuka Stirling (Warriors).
