Wallaby legend and Santos ambassador Tim Horan looks to inspire Territory youth

WALLABY legend and Santos ambassador Tim Horan dropped into Darwin this week visiting schools and clubs to pass on his international experiences and talk about living a healthy lifestyle, while also endorsing increased support of the Territory game.

Wallabies legend Tim Horan had a motivational chat to Stars Foundation and Clontarf Foundation students at Haileybury Randall School. Picture: Che Chorley

WALLABY legend and Santos ambassador Tim Horan dropped into Darwin this week visiting schools and clubs to pass on his international experiences and talk about living a healthy lifestyle, while also endorsing increased support of the Territory game.

The 80-Test Wallaby dropped in to pass on his experiences from his time with the Wallabies, while teaching kids from Clontarf Foundation and Stars Foundation about the importance of commitment and not being shy.

And while at Haileybury Rendall School he even fit in a bit of time to challenge a couple of girls from the Stars Foundation to a game of table tennis.

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“As a Santos ambassador I travel around the country talking at schools and clubs passing on the values of playing team sports and what I learned with the Wallabies,” Horan told the NT News.

“For these kids it’s about seizing opportunities and my message in these classes is basically don’t be shy because in life if you’re shy you can miss out on opportunities.

“The Wallabies have a strong culture and history laid out but when we played for the side we had the chance to create our own history and that’s what these kids have an opportunity to do in their lives.

“Santos has supported Stars and Clontarf for a long time and they have an opportunity here to learn themselves and take that home to their families and communities.”

The former Wallaby and Queensland Reds inside centre will also hold a rugby clinic for the rugby community where he will be looking to pass on some skills on Friday.

And then he will pay a visit to Casuarina Senior College.

Wallabies legend Tim Horan dropped in to chat to students with Stars Foundation and Clontarf Foundation at Haileybury Randall School. Picture: Che Chorley

Horan has been a long-time advocate of growing the game in the Top End and believes that the NT will be key for the fostering of Indigenous players, both male and female.

The former Australian captain was also passionate about his love of the Territory and those who play rugby union in the region, only wishing he could stay longer to go fishing.

“The kids probably don’t remember when I played but if I can show them a jersey and teach them a couple of skills then that will help them,” Horan said.

“I’ve played sevens in Darwin and love coming up here. I’ve always loved the passion for rugby up here and am looking forward to showing what I’ve learned to these kids and letting them have some fun.

“Super Rugby has a good opportunity to grow the game and to do that you need places like Darwin and the NT to be strong so we need more programs and more support for kids up here.

We also need more Indigenous boys and girls in the game whether they play sevens or 15s where we give them the support and later bring them to professional clubs.”

Horan will continue his work as a commentator with Channel Nine and Stan Sport this year, with Super Rugby making the move from Fox Sports.

There he will join a team of rugby names including Sean Maloney, Drew Mitchell and Andrew Mehrtens to herald in a new era of Australian commentary.

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And with a crop of new blood such as Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Angus Bell and Jordan Petaia coming through, Horan believes the future is bright for Australian rugby.