NSWRL Community and Welfare Officer Paul Langmack took his Changing Rooms mental fitness program to the Riverina town of Griffith last week as he aims to cover as many sports clubs in rural areas as he does in Sydney.
Canterbury-Bankstown legend, True Blue and Australian Test forward, Langmack is accompanied by social workers, talks to students and players aged 11 and older about how to improve their outlook on life and their engagement with friends, family and teammates.
This year Langmack has spoken with 5,000 kids children from public and private schools, junior Rugby League clubs, PCYCs, charities, community organisations, as well as athletes from other sports including hockey, touch football, and softball.
Later this week he will speak to coaches and team captains from Rowing NSW clubs.
Now into its fourth year, Changing Rooms proved such a success in Junior Rugby League Clubs that the NSWRL secured State Government funding through the NSW Ministry of Health to take the face-to-face wellbeing initiative into high schools and regional areas.
In 2023, the State Government support has enabled Langmack to visit clubs, schools, and community groups in Grafton, Moree, Armidale, Kempsey, Nambucca Heads, Kiama, Nowra and Tamworth.
Langmack finally added Griffith to the list after several earlier visits had to be rescheduled.
“It’s important to get to as many rural areas as I can because I want kids to be given the tools to reach out and be resilient.
“There are eight deaths a day in NSW from suicide – on average six men and two women.
“It’s unacceptable and it’s a tragedy that mainly country communities are the ones who suffer the most.
“Mental fitness is so important and it’s something everyone should be doing even at school age.”
Anyone interested in booking Changing Rooms for their school, club or community group should email: plangmack@nswrl.com.au
