FORMER NSW enforcer and current Queensland Federal Senator Glenn Lazarus stopped by St Joseph’s College in Toowoomba earlier this week to speak with the 2015 Confraternity squad about their season ahead.
Lazarus, who has the unique honour of being the first player in the history of the game to win premierships with three separate clubs: Canberra Raiders, Brisbane and Melbourne – told stories of his life in football and tips for achieving your best on and off the field before answering questions from the players.
Teacher at the school and coach of the squad Scott Edwards said it was good for the players to hear stories from someone who had reached the highest levels on the playing field.
“He spoke of the need to work hard, to persevere, to set realistic goals and to reassess something if you are doing all of that and it is not working.
“He also told the boys to seek help from teachers if studies are not going as they should despite hard work.”
One of the stories revolved around Melbourne winger Craig Smith. Smith was unable to crack first grade for the Storm during the season; but played well with Brisbane Norths. He was then selected for the NRL side as they reached the finals in 1999.
Lazarus said Smith went on to play an important role on in the grand final win over the Dragons and was a great example of perseverance.
Team captain Mal Ayuel presented the former Australian prop with a team shirt following his address.
Mal is a new success story in rugby league, having arrived in Australia as a refugee from the Sudan as a young child. He is also vice captain of the college.
The St Joseph's College Diehards were very successful in the Toowoomba High Schools Open Division in 2014 and are working to repeat that success in 2015.
St Joseph's is entered in the B Division of Confraternity and hopes to earn their way into the Plate.
The 2015 Confraternity Carnival will be held at Brothers Ipswich hosted by St Peter Claver College and run from Monday, June 29 to Friday, July 3.
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