CRAIG McDonald has been a long-serving teacher with a major stint at Hillvue Public School before he moved to Duri Public School a few years back as its principal.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He’s masterminded State PSSA softball success for both schools over the years and is no stranger to sport and how it can be a powerful motivator in the educational system.
He’s seen plenty of different sports send sportsmen and women to school promoting various sports and health and learning programs.
So when three Gold Coast Titans and regional NRL development officer Zac Russ arrived at his small school last Wednesday after an earlier session at Timbumburi, he was thinking it might be just another “fly in-fly out job” from a major sporting group.
What he got was something completely different and beneficial for his young students.
“They were absolutely fabulous,” McDonald said.
“Zac Russ did a fantastic job with them. I’ve been around for many years and this was easily the best session I’ve ever seen.”
He doesn’t know Russ, the regional development manager for the NRL. He knew he played rugby league for North Tamworth and coached them to a premiership two years ago but, other than that, he had had no contact with him.
He said the way Russ ran the session in such an easy and happy way made it a most enjoyable experience for the teachers as well as the pupils.
That Titans trio David Shillington, Matt Robinson and Oshae Tuiasau, played their part with fun and interest also made it a special day for his little school.
