More than 130 children, a host of their NRL heroes from the Parramatta Eels, Wests Tigers and South Sydney Rabbitohs and several Polynesian Rugby League greats took part in the inaugural Western Union Pacific Rugby League Day today at St Mary’s Western Weekender Stadium amidst glorious weather. 

A
joint initiative between the NSW Rugby League Academy and Western Union, the
Western Union Pacific Rugby League Day catered for children with ages ranging
from 7-15 with a fun day learning learn Rugby League skills from NSWRL
Academy instructors and their NRL heroes of Pacific community heritage,
including Parramatta’s New Zealand International Krisnan Inu, Rabbitohs rising
stars Eddie Paea, Eddie Pettybourne and Wests Tigers Ben
Te'o. Wests Tigers CEO Steve Noyce and NRL star Ben Galea joined in the
fun along with Polynesian Rugby League Legends Solomon Haumono and Darrell
Williams.

The
on field clinic action included a number of specific skill stations and a
speech by NRL representative Michael Buettner, who formally launched the
festivities. Buettner, the general manager of the 2008 Toyota Youth Cup, added; “It was
a great day after our disappointing rainout on Monday.  The Pacific Community has added greatly to
the excitement of the NRL and we are proud to work with Western
Union to provide a fun day for the community."

The
kids were taught skills by NSWRLAcademy coaching staff
and NRL players, while NSWRL Pacific Islander Development Officer David Lakisa
kept the crowd and entertained with trivia games and marshalled the youth
between the skill stations. Off the field the crowd was entertained by the
sweet sounds of live band, Pacific Groove, which kept the mascots and kids
dancing, and following the completion of the skill stations there was a
presentation ceremony for the most enthusiastic in each age group , before everyone was
treated to a sausage sizzle and face-painting.

New
Zealand International Krisnan Inu was thrilled to be involved in the day.  Inu, who is one of Parramatta’s
bright new stars, is hoping for more involvement in the future.

“This is a great start and I hope things
grow from here," Inu said.

"Thanks to Western Union and NSW Rugby League for bringing the event
and the Pacific Community together and I look forward to the next one.”

NSW
Rugby League general manager Geoff Carr said the historic day would be
specifically focussed towards the thriving western Sydney Pacific community.  “It was a terrific event and we were thrilled
to work with Western Union to deliver a fun
and beneficial day for kids in the Pacific rugby league community.”

Tigers CEO Steve Noyce (pictured below) said the Pacific Rugby League Day was a "fantastic" initiative.

"It was an honour to be
asked to come out and I was pleased we could bring a couple of players
who could be part of it," Noyce said.

"We have got a lot of [players with Pacific heritage]and they form an important part of the Wests Tigers.

"Rugby league players
don't always realise the inspiration and aspirations they can provide
for the young kids, and they'll be a lot of young kids that will leave
here today and go home and dream that they're going to be a first grade
rugby league player - that's exciting."

“After the disappointment of
the rain postponing Monday’s event, Western Union was very happy with the
outcome today,” said Paul Crawford, Western Union’s Regional Vice President, Oceania.

 “Through
the game of Rugby League, kids of all ages were given the opportunity to learn
from NRL stars and rising stars, build confidence, make new friends, enhance
fitness levels, learn new skills, and have a great time to boot. We hope today
helps some of those talented kids to realise their dreams.”

Following
the July 12 event a second skills day will take place in September.