The NRL’s Roads to Regions Tour visited the North West from Tuesday through to today, and it saw three NRLW stars and former Newcastle Knights captain Kurt Gidley visit Narrabri.
The group, which included NRLW trio Tiana Penitani (Dragons), Simaima Taufa (Roosters) and Kirra Dibb (Warriors), visited schools in Narrabri, Boggabri and Wee Waa and conducted a clinic at Collins Park, the home of the Narrabri Blues.
About 50 kids enjoyed the Tuesday afternoon clinic, with some new faces joining returning Narrabri and District Junior Rugby League players.
Gidley enjoyed a 251-game NRL career with the Knights from 2001 to 2015, then played 55 more games for the Warrington Wolves in the English Super League from 2016 to 2017.
He also represented NSW in State of Origin, played for Australia and represented NSW Country, the Prime Minister’s XIII and the NRL All Stars.
Gidley lived in Narrabri as a youngster and told The Courier that he enjoyed being back.
“I love it,” Gidley said of the Roads to Regions tour.
“I become a fan again to be honest, it goes full circle.
“It’s nice to be able to give back to all these kids who are in the same position that I was when I was a youngster looking up to NRL players.
“And it’s great to be back here, I spent a year of my life in Narrabri when I was four or five so there’s a sentimental connection here for me.”
Gidley said that the NRL Roads to Regions group spoke with teenagers and younger children at their school visits about the importance of building resilience, practicing gratitude and never giving up.
“They are all important parts of being a professional athlete,” he said.
“It takes hard work and perseverance and you have to have the passion for it too.
“There’s plenty of talent here in Narrabri and it would be wonderful to see some Narrabri junior league players make their way to the Knights.”
Narrabri and District Junior Rugby League president Ben Manchee said he was really happy that the NRL’s Roads to Regions tour visited Narrabri again, given the success of the tour back in 2018 when Newcastle Knights’ Mitch Barnett and South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Kyle Turner visited town.
Manchee said that a great addition this time around was the inclusion of Penitani, Taufa and Dibb.
The shire’s young females were inspired by some of their NRLW heroes and were excited to chat to them and pose for photos at school visits and at the clinic.
Meanwhile, the 2021 NDJRL season is expected to go ahead as normal (pre-2020) following last year’s COVID-19-affected campaign.
Registrations are open now, and the season is expected to start the weekend after the April school holidays break finishes.
Narrabri and District Junior Rugby League player and Newcastle Knights fan Jarrad Lawler with former Knights captain Kurt Gidley at Collins Park on Tuesday.
