Gold Coast Titan Brian Kelly visits old stomping ground for NRL Telstra Country Footy Tour at Oakes Oval in Lismore

North Coast rugby league juniors had a ball when Gold Coast Titans centre rocked up to Lismore for the NRL Telstra Footy Country Tour. See the pictures.

Gold Coast Titan's Brian Kelly with North Coast rugby league players at Oakes Oval for the Telstra Country Footy Tour.

Lismore has played host to the much-loved NRL Telstra Footy Country Tour as the grassroots program makes its first stop in NSW.

Former Ballina Seagulls centre and now Gold Coast Titans star Brian Kelly hit the field with juniors for the Marist Lismore Junior League Clinic at Oakes Oval.

The grassroots program, designed to inspire the next generation of rugby talent, showcased both the Provan-Summons trophy and NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership trophy on Tuesday.

Young Lismore league players Max and Cruz, with Gold Coast Titan's Brian Kelly at Oakes Oval for the NRL Telstra Country Footy Tour.

Students Max and Cruz from South Lismore Public School described Kelly as a “legend” and said they too wanted to pursue a career in league.

“I play fullback,” Cruz said.

“Today was fun, I love hanging out and meeting new people.”

The tour has entered the third week of its four-week journey around Australia's footy heartland.

It has ventured throughout regional Queensland and arrived in Lismore as first port of call in NSW.

Kelly said he loved getting back to his old stomping ground.

“We do a lot of things for the Gold Coast juniors clubs up there, but I have a lot of passion and heart for the area where I played,” he said.

Kelly said seeing the juniors on the field and at three schools he visited in Lismore – Our Lady Help of Christians, St Carthages and Albert Park Schools – meant a lot to him.

“Because I remember seeing myself doing that stuff as well,” he said.

“I want to give something back to the kids because the game has given so much to me.”

Goonellabah mum Sarah Bolt said having the event come to “our little town” was “fantastic”.

“The organisers go to such an effort and it means so much to them (the kids),” she said.

Young Dylan Grey from the Casino Cougars dragged his parents to Oakes Oval in Lismore after his friend spotted an event notice on Facebook.

“He likes to come to all of these things,” father Shane Grey said.

“He likes to learn new skills and meet the players, have a look at the trophies.”

Mr Grey was pleased to see another event encouraging kids to get out and about to play sport.

Mick Taylor with his son Cole after Brian Kelly signed Cole’s footy boot at Oakes Oval.

North Coast rugby league players Jaxon Allen, Robbie Grace, Namarlia Saunderson, Frankie Daley with Gold Coast Titan's Brian Kelly at Oakes Oval for the NRL Telstra Country Footy Tour.

Marist Brothers Juniors president Gary Allen said it was great to check out NRL trophies and he was pleased about the turnout.

“Telstra was kind enough to donate some gear to the junior club as well – tackle bags, bump heads, balls, drink bottles, and some agility poles as well,” he said.

He said the club was grateful for the leg-up after the 2022 floods decimated its equipment.

Mr Allen said it was “awesome” to see the young players line up for a photo with the trophies and get a chance to throw a ball around with Kelly.

The NRL Telstra Footy Country Tour will engage with over 55 schools and clubs, approximately 10,000 kids and regional community participants across three states before it makes its arrival at the 2023 NRL Telstra Grand Final at Accor Stadium in Sydney.