SPORT Page 18

from Glenorchy Gazette September 2021

A TRY FOR GRASSROOTS RUGBY

From left, former Wallaroo Shirley Russell, Classic Wallaby Digby Ioane, Austins Ferry Primary school student Jax Salter, Classic Wallaby Radike Samo, and student Bella Ballmer.

THE Classic Wallabies – an alumni of Australian rugby legends – spent a week in Tasmania engaging with schools and communities as a way to give back to the sport.

Classic Wallabies Digby Ioane and Radike Samo, along with former Wallaroo Shirley Russell, visited various schools across the state, including Austins Ferry Primary School, to take students through some rugby training and drills.

Mr Ioane said the Classic Wallabies and Wallaroos aimed to grow grassroots rugby across Australia, with Tasmania being high on its list.

“We went around schools and did a lot of drills with schools to show them that rugby is a great sport – it’s not for everyone, but we like to give everyone a taste of what it is about,” he said.

“It’s very important that we spread the word and that starts with clubs, primary schools and high schools.”

Ms Russell has been involved with the Australian Wallaroos in both a playing and coaching capacity, and was one of the pioneers of female rugby in Australia.

She said through these grassroots engagements, she was giving back to the sport by helping it grow.

“We’re very fortunate that we have gained so much from rugby throughout our lives, and we just to impart it back to the people who want to be involved in the game or want to have exposure to the game,” she said.

“Who knows, we might have future Wallabies and Wallaroos in these Tassie schools.”

The Classic Wallabies and Wallaroos also visited the Claremont Cadbury Factory to celebrate Cadbury’s recent principal partnership with the Wallabies and major partnership with the Wallaroos.

“Sport is a passion among Tasmanians – perhaps only second to their passion for our Cadbury chocolate,” Mondeléz International equity and sponsorships marketing manager Jessica Finger said.

“We were delighted to have the Classic Wallabies here in Tasmania, engaging with local community – including those near our factory – and inspiring the next generation of Wallabies and Wallaroos.”

CADBURY has a long and proud history supporting Australian sport, that includes partnerships with the Hobart Hurricanes, Cricket Australia, National Rugby League Women’s, Australian Football League Women’s, Football Australia, and as an Official Partner of the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams.