The St George Illawarra Dragons visited the Central-West Orana region last week, visiting several schools and holding a community walk to connect with students and fans.

The “Community Blitz” was part of the Dragons’ and Squadron Energy’s ongoing commitment to community engagement.

NRL stars Jaydn Su’A and Hayden Buchanan were joined by greats Ricky Walford and Nathan Blacklock for the club’s two-day road trip.

Along the way they visited Gilgandra Public School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Gilgandra, and Gulargambone Central School, and helped out with the Walford, Rose and Wright Shield in Walgett. A “Win the Morning” event was also held in Coonamble, where locals had the opportunity to meet players and club officials before joining them for a 30-minute walk through the town.

Jaydn Su'A said getting involved in a community blitz was always a major highlight for the Dragons each year.

“It was such a rewarding trip for Hayden and myself to be a part of,” Mr Su’A said.

“The locals were very welcoming and the kids we worked with brought so much energy and enthusiasm. It’s important that we get out to these regional areas and we’re very grateful for Squadron Energy’s support in getting us out there.”

Events like the blitz illustrated the important partnership between and the Dragons, Squadron Energy's First Nations Engagement Facilitator Justin Toomey-White said.

“We’ve been able to come out to communities and do these education-based programs in the schools and the kids have fun whilst they’re doing it and learning about rugby league,” he said.

“Seeing the superstars that they often don’t get to see every day is amazing.”

Each school stop consisted of a series of interactive workshops for local primary students centred around the club’s health and wellbeing program, “The Best You Can Be”.

Now in its twelfth year, the program focuses on helping students make positive choices around health and wellbeing. The workshops include advice on staying active, learning how to practice tolerance, respect, and inclusiveness, the importance of good sleep, screen time management, hydration, and nutrition as well as taking care of the environment.