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BOP Steamers to visit local schools to spread keep safe message28 August, 2009 - 15:48 Bay of Plenty Police, Blue Light Ventures and members of the Bay of Plenty Steamers rugby team will visit primary schools in Kawerau, Opotiki and Te Teko next week (Thursday 3 September) talking about how to keep safe and "playing by the rules". The Steamers are visiting the schools under the Blue Light programme, which is aimed at young people and reducing their chances of becoming either an offender or a victim of crime. The players and members of the Police will attend the school assembly talking about being responsible, the importance of honesty, playing by the rules and the consequences if they don't. The visit also includes a fun game of touch rugby between players, staff and students. The second part of the programme provides free tickets to Steamers games for children and their parents. Blue Light Tauranga co-ordinator, Wendy Nicholls, says the programme is aimed at working with different partners, like the Steamers, to provide positive lifestyle strategies to try and prevent young people becoming offenders or victims of crime. "Having kids involved with or interested in sports is a positive lifestyle choice that can make a big difference in the future decisions they make." She says another key strategy in keeping kids safe is the involvement of parents or caregivers positively in their lives by spending time together. "This is why a key part of the programme is providing tickets to the games - the more opportunities to bring parents and children together, the better," says Wendy. BOP Rugby Union operations manager, Mike Rogers, says the union and the Steamers are delighted to be involved in the programme. "The visits not only allow us to make our own contribution to our local communities, but they also reinforce some key messages for the team as well, for example, honesty, respect and playing by the rules. "They can provide real and relevant examples of how these elements impact their own lives and playing careers - and they can have a bit of a run around with the kids as well." -ends- For further information, contact: Jacky James |
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