Steamers reinforce 'keep safe and play fair' message

Bay of Plenty Police, Blue Light Ventures and members of the Bay of Plenty Steamers rugby team have spent most of the National Provincial Championship rugby season visiting primary schools in the Western Bay of Plenty talking about how to keep safe and “playing by the rules”.

Steamers forward, John Pareanga, Constable Karl Blinkhorne, Tauranga, Steamers forward Ted Tauroa and Constable Shane Francis, Mt Maunganui, share a moment with delighted kids from Arataki Primary School at Mt Maunganui. Photo: Jacky James

The Steamers have been visiting the schools under the Blue Light programme, aimed at reducing the chances of young people becoming either an offender or a victim.

The players and police attend school assemblies to talk 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 local Steamers games for children and their parents.

Blue Light Tauranga coordinator, Wendy Nicholls, says the programme is aimed at working with different partners, such as 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 to involve parents or caregivers positively in their lives by getting them to spend 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.

Bay Of Plenty 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 fun with the kids as well.”