Knights skipper Kurt Gidley and his Newcastle team-mates visited more than 1300 students from five schools at Port Macquarie last week as part of Rugby League’s 2012 Community Carnival.
The boys were in town ahead of a trial match against the Penrith Panthers at Port Macquarie’s stadium on Saturday night.
“Community Carnival is one of our favourite times of the year; it’s a chance to visit all of our young fans before the season begins and to try to teach them about the importance of reading as well as giving them some footy tips,” said Gidley.
The Knights conducted skills clinics as well as delivering important health and literacy messages through programs like Rugby League Reads and “Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well” – all ahead of their trial match against the Penrith Panthers in Port Macquarie on the weekend.
Students were wowed by their Knights’ footy stars at St Joseph’s, St Agnes, Westport Public, Tacking Point Public and Hastings Public Schools.
The Penrith Panthers held an open training session on Friday in Port Macquarie, ahead of Saturday night’s trial match against the Knights.
This was followed by a mix and mingle at Port Panthers on Friday night at an appearance at Settlement City Shopping Centre on Saturday morning.
For more information about Rugby League’s Community Carnival, visit www.rloc.com.au
