True Blue Paul Langmack is taking his ‘Changing Rooms’ mental fitness program on the road once again, but this time he’s also working in tandem with NSW Police.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and NSW Blues legend will be speaking to male and female players at Moree JRLFC and Armidale Rams, along with seniors at the Moree Boars.
It is the first time Langmack has visited regional clubs in the Moree and Armidale areas.
Already in 2023 he has been to clubs and schools in Griffith, Grafton, Kempsey, Nambucca Heads, Kiama and Tamworth.
Last month he and his team of counsellors were invited by police to speak with Kingsgrove North High School students.
This month he is off to Bass High School in Sydney and early next month he will be meeting with Years 7, 8, 9, 10 from Sir Joseph Banks High School in Revesby.
For June-July Langmack will be speaking with 1,710 Rugby League players and students. That brings the total for the year to date to 3,510.
“I go into schools and talk to those kids, who seem to be having a few troubles and just aren’t fitting in with their classmates,” Langmack said.
“We sit in a circle – me, the police, the kids – and encourage them on how to enjoy life more.
“It will be the same with some of the players in the junior and senior footy clubs we’re going to.
“We also invite them to come along to the PCYC and take part in their ‘Fit For Life’ program in the mornings before school.
“We’ve been choosing more regional areas as we know there are kids there who feel more isolated, or neglected, or bored, and tend to make poor choices because of that.
“I’m working in more and more with the police as they have some good programs that complement what I do with the NSWRL’s ‘Changing Rooms’,” Langmack said.
“It’s all about helping the police to try to convince kids there’s far better outcomes if you’re not in trouble all the time.
“Rugby League is the conduit of trying to bring the police and the kids closer together – so more trust and respect can develop.”
