How former NRL halfback Luke Walsh is helping indigenous youth overcome their setbacks

Former Knights and Panthers halfback Luke Walsh is helping indigenous youth in Newcastle overcome their setbacks to succeed.

Walsh is passionate about working with indigenous youth. Picture by Gregg Porteous.

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Luke Walsh can’t help but smile when he sees his students defy their personal challenges to succeed.

The former Knights and Panthers halfback, who now plays for Western Suburbs in the Newcastle competition, works with the Clontarf Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that assists in the education and employment of young indigenous men.

Walsh spends his days encouraging local Aboriginal kids from difficult backgrounds to stay in school and shoot for the stars.

It’s a rewarding job for the ex-NRL star given he also had to overcome his fair share of obstacles to go on and achieve a successful rugby league career.

As a kid, Walsh’s single mother Tanya didn’t have a car but she always found a way to get her four sons to the footy.

Walsh is passionate about working with indigenous youth. Picture by Gregg Porteous.

It’s a sacrifice he likes to share with his students as a reminder that anything is possible in life, regardless of your upbringing or personal setbacks.

“Just to play one NRL game was a goal of mine but to go on and have the career I’ve had makes me very proud,” Walsh told Bushbeat.

“It is something that I’ll cherish forever. It’s why I enjoy working with the kids.

“I’ve only been there for one term, so I’m still building relationships with the boys.

“But they are coming along well. We’ve been on a few camps and they are coming out of their shells and talking more.

“It is making sure they get to school and keeping them there.

“There are kids struggling a bit with self-esteem and that kind of thing, so we just try and help them out with a few life skills.”

When Walsh isn’t at work, he can be found at training or playing for Wests in the Newcastle competition.

Walsh is playing in the Newcastle competition.

He has enjoyed the more relaxed local scene, which doesn’t require four days of training like the NRL or English Super League.

This step back in pace perfectly suits Walsh, especially after an ankle injury forced him to end a six-year stint in the English Super League with St Helens and Catalans.

“But I’ve always wanted to come back and have a year or two in the local Newcastle competition,” he said.

“I kept training when I retired. I was used to rehabbing injuries and now my ankle is fine and I’ve got no dramas with it.

“I’ve really enjoyed the local comp. The younger boys are a lot bigger these days, but I’m just enjoying it and having a bit of fun.

The former Knight is passionate about giving back to his community.

“There is no pressure, so it’s good.”

Walsh is also relishing the chance to play alongside his younger brother, Ryan.

“It was always a goal of mine to have a run with him,” he said.

“Ryan is in the halves as well but he is on the bench at the moment.”

Walsh only joined Wests last season but he hopes to play for as long as his ageing body will allow him to.

“I’ll see how I go, especially with my ankle,” he says.

“But if your body is up to it and you still feel like you can play, I can’t see why you wouldn’t play bush footy for as long as you can.

“You get to keep fit and you are still in that team environment. I love it and I’d recommend it for sure.”

Originally published as How former NRL halfback Luke Walsh is helping indigenous youth overcome their setbacks