AFL 2022: Brisbane Lions midfielder Hugh McCluggage preparing for ‘eye-opening’ experience in Nepal

Hugh McCluggage has big goals in the AFL but has set his sights further afield as he tries to make a difference in Nepal this off-season.

Hugh McCluggage is one of the AFL’s best midfielders but is taking on a new challenge in the off-season. Picture:Getty Images

Hugh McCluggage plans to transform into an English teacher this AFL off-season.

The Brisbane Lions’ star midfielder will spend a fortnight in Nepal – wedged between India and China – with World Youth International from November 1 for what he expects to be an “eye-opening” experience.

McCluggage typically headed on more mainstream overseas trips, including the United States, in previous years but a few factors took him in this direction instead.

It started with a conversation early this year about life after football with the Lions’ then-personal excellence and wellbeing co-ordinator, Marianna Crow.

McCluggage won’t turn 25 until next March and is only 130 games into an already impressive AFL career but he doesn’t know what he will do once he kicks the Sherrin for the last time.

Hugh McCluggage will be based in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu during his two-week stay.

What he does know is he wants to make a difference, so the World Youth International’s charity work in Nepal piqued his interest.

The not-for-profit organisation opened a school in Nepal in late 1999, when the country had the third-lowest literacy rate in the world, with the aim of training local teachers to offer a rich, dynamic education.

There were 24 students back then and now there are almost 650, with the 96 per cent annual pass rate making it one of the developing country’s top schools.

“I’ve done some research and it’s a beautiful, picturesque place and I’ve spoken to people who’ve been over there and they say (the Nepalese) are extremely kind people,” McCluggage told News Corp.

“It’s obviously a third-world country and quite poor but the World Youth International has done a lot of great work over there.

Hugh McCluggage can’t wait to experience Nepalese culture and hopefully make a difference in several kids’ life. Picture: Getty Images

“They send nurses to the villages to volunteer and help people with their basic health needs and they’ve also got a school there, which is going really well and has lots of students.

“There’s going to be a language barrier, because they don’t speak a whole lot of English, but I’m really excited to get in there and have a go and have some fun with the kids.”

McCluggage has fundraised more than $32,000 and counting for the trip, which will go towards buying cricket, soccer and other sporting equipment, including uniforms, as well as a piano and keyboard.

He initially thought the $25,000 goal was fanciful, so he’s been blown away with the “amazing” generosity.

“It just gives them more opportunities, which is something I had growing up with where I lived and something I’m really grateful for, but I want to be able to help provide that for some of the kids over there as well,” McCluggage said.

A visitor appreciates the view of Himalaya mountain during Everest Base Camp trekking in Nepal.Picture: Getty Images

“If it means down the track that one more person gets into the music industry or plays sport throughout their life then I feel like I’ve achieved the goal and I’m really looking forward to that.”

McCluggage will launch a sports and creative arts program then immerse himself in Nepalese life for two weeks, from riding the school bus to teaching English and playing sport with the students.

“It’s an opportunity for me to go outside my comfort zone a little bit,” he said.

“I’ve spoken about how hopefully I can help one or two kids over there and spark their interest in something else but I think it’ll be really eye-opening for me as well to live that life.

“I don’t really know what it’s going to be like, but if I can take a few different lessons from it and come back a better person, then that’s also a goal of the trip.”

>>> You can donate money to Hugh McCluggage’s Nepal trip here

Originally published as AFL 2022: Brisbane Lions midfielder Hugh McCluggage preparing for ‘eye-opening’ experience in Nepal