The Bay of Plenty Steamers launched a week-long anti-bullying promotion into Western Bay schools at Tauranga Intermediate yesterday.
The players trained on the main field for 40 minutes before signing autographs and interacting with the school's pupils, who had dressed in blue and gold as part of a Steamers mufti-day.
Later at a special assembly, the Steamers distributed copies of the seven player profile cards, which include information about each of the 28 squad members and the key anti-bullying message.
Raewyn Mortensen, from Tauranga Moana Safe City, says this is the fifth year of working with the Steamers to help get the "Bully No More" campaign into the schools.
She says it is hugely important to work closely with the Steamers.
"They are mentors and role models coming into the school. They play a rough game, so that is a really important link for us, that they are saying to their young fans that actually bullying is not okay," Mortensen said.
"It just adds extra impetus and that extra level that you wouldn't get on a campaign.
