Indigenous All Stars players mingle with Murgon State School students at Somerset College training

Some of the NRL’s biggest names stepped out at Somerset College for Indigenous All Stars training this morning but the occasion took on greater significance for a select group of visitors.

SOME of the NRL’s biggest names stepped out at Somerset College for Indigenous All Stars training this morning but the occasion took on greater significance for a select group of visitors.

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With the Indigenous side to do battle with the Maori All Stars in Saturday’s NRL All Stars clash at Robina, players visited the Mudgeeraba school to finetune preparations and mingle with fans.

Among the supporters was a group of students from the South Burnett region’s Murgon State School, whose 260-strong pupil list is 50 per cent indigenous.

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Their visit was the latest in Somerset’s Impact program, which features cultural exchange opportunities with Murgon SS, and they were also given the chance to test out some of the school’s elite sports facilities.

Indigenous All Stars player Latrell Mitchell with Murgon State School students Robert Langton, Rueben Simpson, Gordon Tapau, Joeseph Smith, Jo-Corey Conlon, Jaydarein Prior, Christian Fisher and Che Conlon.

“Today we were able to welcome students from Murgon State School … and provide an opportunity for them to engage with their heroes alongside our own students,” Somerset service learning co-ordinator Brad Walker said.

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“Somerset College is incredibly fortunate to be able to introduce disadvantaged students to facilities they would not have in their home town and share with them in a chance to engage with and witness first-hand how elite athletes train.

Simpson with Indigenous All Star Josh Addo-Carr.

“The cultural exchange program with Murgon State School offers students from the wider community, regardless of their resources or geographical location, an opportunity to glimpse a potential future outside what they may have imagined for themselves.”

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Today’s visit was the first time the Indigenous team had trained at the Somerset Sports Precinct, despite previous use of the college facilities by the NRL.

The NRL’s Queensland school participation co-ordinator and All Stars director, Tim Rutherford, said the players enjoyed the opportunity to connect with fans at the grassroots level.

Indigenous All Stars players train at Somerset College.

“Rugby league offers an enjoyable and fun experience for all ages and there are well established pathways for males and females, from grassroots to elite level through existing programs,” Rutherford said.

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“It has been particularly special for the team to connect with the wider Somerset College community, including indigenous Murgon State School students, back on the Gold Coast, the home of the All Stars concept.”

Somerset sport facilities manager Damian Flint said the school was determined to provide further opportunities for students to pursue sport “at a more elite level”.