Thousands of school students from regional NSW and Queensland will be taking a break from the classroom to score some new skills and life lessons out on the Rugby pitch.
Next week the Queensland Rugby Union is helping Rugby Australia continue its mission to roll out Australia’s first Indigenous Rugby Program, known as Deadly 7s, to another 11 schools across the two states.
For most primary school students it’s their first taste of Rugby and weaved into the program are some vital lessons on the importance of education and keeping healthy – drawing on role models such as Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale or Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy.
St.George Queensland Reds scrumhalf Moses Sorovi has also been a driving force behind a number of Indigenous initiatives and believes this one has big potential.
"Having spent time working with Queensland's Indigenous youth through the Queensland Reds Indigenous Program, I've seen first hand the benefits that Rugby can have within Indigenous communities, both on and off the field," said Sorovi.
"It's great to see both Rugby Australia and the Queensland Rugby Union working together to introduce both Indigenous and rural kids to Rugby through the Deadly 7s program."
The Deadly 7s program first kicked off in 2016 and since then has reached 114 schools across the country. Now more than ten thousand students have benefited from the initiative with almost half having an Indigenous heritage.
General Manager of Community Rugby and Strategy Andrew Larratt said ‘’The Deadly 7s project is supported by the Australian Government and we’ve been thrilled with its success so far.’'
‘’The program has managed to reach dozens of regions where students have never experienced having a Rugby ball in their hands and are given access to professional coaching and skill development,’’ said Mr Larratt.
The free five-week program can be taught before, during or after school throughout the school term.
