NRL: Why Kempsey schoolteacher Mark Morrison is such a class act
A Kempsey schoolteacher has overseen the formative years of NRL stars like Cameron Murray, Boyd Cordner, James Roberts and Mitch Aubusson — but that isn’t the story. Not even close.
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Cameron Murray admits, initially, he knew little about ‘‘Coach Mozza’’.
But geez, why would he?
Understanding how back in 2015, when this now South Sydney superstar was simply the youngest pick for Combined NSW Independent Schools … well, a kid sees plenty of new representative coaches, right?
And initially, Mark ‘‘Moz’’ Morrison was exactly that.
Just as this Kempsey schoolteacher had also overseen the formative years of some dozen other NRL players — like NSW Origin skipper Boyd Cordner, Bunnies flyer James Roberts and Roosters favourite Mitch Aubusson. But that isn’t the story. Not even close.
No, rather than this being a yarn about the bush schoolteacher who has helped shaped so many careers as both an independent and Catholic schools coach it is what Morrison does the rest of the year that really matters.
Specifically, his role as principal of Macleay Vocational College, Kempsey, the ‘‘last chance’’ high school which, set up specifically for disadvantaged youths, boasts 127 students aged from 14 to 21 years.
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Think the bullied, teenage mums and a large number for whom poverty, drug addiction, even domestic violence are a daily part of generational disadvantage.
“And now we know about exactly what he does,” Murray explains, “it’s why we all wanted to come back.”
So NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler, he brought them.
Same deal a host of other NRL figures like Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus, Mark O’Meley, Damien Cook, Angus Crichton, Jillaroo Kezie Apps, even Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
As part of his two-day tour of country NSW areas ravaged by bushfire, Fittler organised for the first stop to be an extended visit with those lesser known students of “Coach Mozza’’.
Teenagers who, the principal explains, arrive into his student body without so much the rest of us take for granted.
“Like food,” Morrison deadpans.
“Or a consistent bed. For some, we wash their clothes. For others, we provide the clothes.
“Feed them. Get them educated and teach these kids to understand their strengths.
“It’s why this year, we’ve had 20 kids graduate the HSC.”
Which means every bit as much as those more famous names he has helped through to the NRL.
While the bushfires have affected a large number of the student body there is also plenty more they are fighting through, too.
At which point, Morrison looks out to Cordner running a coaching clinic for a group of young indigenous children
“Listen to that,” he says, pointing toward the NSW Origin captain.
“Boyd has been out there five minutes and already he’s referring to a couple of the boys by name. That’s huge.”
Indeed, while Team Fittler will travel to a host of towns and communities over the next two days — handing out merchandise and hampers as they go — Morrison says this visit by his four old players means everything.
“Because by coming here,” he says, “it shows these kids they’re valued.”
Originally published as NRL: Why Kempsey schoolteacher Mark Morrison is such a class act