True Blues to wrap up NSWRL Regional Roadshow in Coffs Harbour
True Blues Brett Kimmorley, Andrew Ryan and Kylie Hilder will wrap up the NSW Rugby League’s 2025 Regional Roadshow campaign next week when they visit Coffs Harbour and Grafton (4-6 November).
In partnership with Transport for NSW, the Regional Roadshow is part of The Knock-On Effect campaign which reminds young people that one bad decision behind the wheel can affect an entire community, much like a knock-on in Rugby League can impact the outcome of a game.
The campaign, which started as a pilot program in 2017, has delivered road safety messages to more than 8000 teenagers at 67 regional areas.
The 2025 campaign launched in February this year, with visits to Cowra, Young, Temora, Harden, Tamworth, and Gunnedah, followed by further stops in Parkes and Forbes in October.
“The NSWRL Regional Roadshow campaign is an important community initiative as it delivers messages to teenagers in regional areas to help them make better choices on the road which can lead to saving lives,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“I thank Transport for NSW for their ongoing support and the True Blues who have donated their time in helping to deliver another successful campaign throughout 2025.”
The Executive Director for Transport Safety at Transport for NSW, Chadi Chalhoub, said that local programs like this are key to reinforcing the community’s commitment to safer roads for all.
“Every serious crash leaves a lasting impact on families, friendships, and the entire community,” Chalhoub said.
“Road safety programs like this have a unique power to resonate with young people, connecting with them in ways statistics alone cannot. When familiar athletes share personal stories, it helps our community realise road safety is about much more than rules, it’s about protecting lives and supporting each other.”
Kimmorley played 10 games for NSW and was part of the squad that won the State of Origin series in 2000; Ryan made 12 appearances for the Blues and was part of the squad that won back-to-back series in 2004-05 while Hilder holds the distinction of being the first female coach in the Origin era and steered the Westpac NSW Blues Women to a memorable win in 2022. She also represented NSW in Origin, which started in 2018, and interstate matches before that.
Kimmorley, Ryan and Hilder will share their experiences on how they have been personally affected by incidents on the road to help spread The Knock-On Effect messaging.
The areas around the state that have been visited include Albury, Bathurst, Mudgee, Oberon, Wauchope, Blayney, Forbes, Leeton, Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Tamworth, Narromine, Griffith, Shellharbour, Maitland, Wyong, Taree, Lismore, Macksville, Queanbeyan, Kurri Kurri, Dubbo, Armidale, Eden, Narooma, Gloucester, Cowra, Young, Temora, Harden, Gunnedah, Parkes and Sydney.
2025 NSWRL REGIONAL ROADSHOW VENUES
Tuesday 4 November
2.10-3pm: Woolgoolga High School, Centenary Drive, Woolgoolga
Wednesday 5 November
9.20-10.15am: Coffs Harbour High School, 336 Edinburgh Street, Coffs Harbour
1-1.45pm: South Grafton High School, Tyson Street, South Grafton
2-2.45pm: Grafton High School, 97 Mary Street, Grafton
Thursday 6 November
10-11am: Orana High School, Joyce Street, Coffs Harbour
