The NRL HOGS National Tour is getting underway today, with the annual grassroots initiative once again rolling into regional communities to promote rugby league, connect with young players and celebrate the people who keep the game strong in rural areas.
Presented by Westpac and led by Brad Fittler, the tour begins on Sunday, February 8 in Penrith before heading into regional New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Covering more than 7500 kilometres, the HOGS crew will be delivering free footy clinics, PCYC visits and community events along the way.
Joining Fittler on the opening leg of the tour are Greg Inglis, Yasmin Meakes and Olivia Higgins, with Dale Finucane and Jada Taylor to join the second leg. With club rugby league registrations now open, the tour is focused on giving young people the chance to try rugby league, build confidence, learn new skills and connect with local clubs, while reinforcing the importance of sport in staying active and forming friendships.
The first New England North West stop will be in Gunnedah on Sunday, February 8, with a free NRL HOGS Footy Clinic at John Longmuir Playing Field from 5pm. The clinic is open to boys and girls aged three to 18 and will be led by Fittler alongside Inglis, Yasmin Meakes and Olivia Higgins.
Gunnedah will also mark the first time Foodbank NSW & ACT has joined the NRL HOGS National Tour, with the organisation providing free fruit and water at the clinic as part of its ongoing support for rural communities.
“We’re excited to be part of the NRL HOGS National Tour supporting rural communities across NSW,” Foodbank NSW & ACT Chief Operating Officer Samantha Prescott said.
“At Foodbank NSW & ACT, we know demand for food relief services in rural areas is high, which is why we distribute more than half of our food outside metro regions into far reaching corners of the state and territory.
“Joining Brad and the rest of the NRL HOGS team gives us another chance to connect with those communities and provide fresh fruit and water to support select training clinics throughout the tour.
“The NRL HOGS National Tour does fantastic work providing opportunities for young rugby league players and uniting people through the spirit of the game – and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”
The tour will then move on to Moree, where the NRL HOGS Footy Clinic will be held at Boughton Oval on Monday, February 9, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. The free clinic is open to boys and girls aged three to 18 and will give young players from across the region the chance to learn directly from elite rugby league figures.
The following morning, Tuesday, February 10, the HOGS will visit PCYC Moree from 7.45am to 8.45am, followed by a Westpac branch visit at the Moree Service Centre on Balo Street at 9.30am.
After Moree, the tour will continue north into Queensland before looping back through regional New South Wales for the southern leg. That includes a stop in Tamworth on Monday, February 16, where the Annual HOGS Ride will roll into The Longyard Hotel from 6pm to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
The Tamworth event will give locals the chance to meet Fittler, Inglis and NRLW stars Yasmin Higgins and Isabelle Clydsdale, with signed State of Origin jerseys available for purchase and live music on the night, rounding out a week that places the spotlight firmly on rugby league in regional communities.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said Brad Fittler was the perfect fit to lead the HOGS Footy Clinics.
“Having made his NRL debut while still at high school, Brad knows and loves rugby league. But more than that, he knows and loves community,” Abdo said.
“Brad inspires thousands of kids and fans across the country.”
Fittler said the annual HOGS tour remained a highlight of the rugby league calendar.
“The tour has always allowed me to see the health of rugby league in the bush and provides us with a great opportunity to give back to those that support our great game,” Fittler said.
Find out more and register your kids in training events on their website or from local rugby league clubs.
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