Bay of Plenty Steamers players visited Rotorua Intermediate School for a Q&A session.
Despite being in full preparation mode for tonight'sMitre 10 Cup game against Hawke's Bay in Rotorua, a handful of Bay of Plenty Steamers players took time to mingle with the locals.
Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Jordan Lay, Troy Callander and Kelly Haimona spent time at Rotorua Intermediate, Rotorua Primary School and Rotorua Hospital.
Rotorua Intermediate pupils are learning about leadership at present and they used a question and answer session with the players to pick up some tips.
One asked what characteristics a leader should have, to which Haimona responded "honesty".
Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, left, Troy Callander, Jordan Lay, and Kelly Haimona talk to Rotorua Intermediate students. Photo/Ben Fraser
"Being honest with yourself as a person and with your friends and all your peers. If everyone knows what kind of person you are from the start then they know what they're getting. There's many more, but I think one major characteristic would be honesty," he said.
Another asked what the players do to ensure they continue to grow and develop as leaders.
Callander said as one of the younger players (he is 22) in the squad, he did all he could to learn from the more experienced players in his position.
"I'm behind a couple of older guys in my position. One of them [Culum Retallick] has played 100 games for the Bay, and I'm still learning a lot from them.
"Hopefully in the coming years I'll take the reins from them - I'm just learning from people who have been there for a long time and using their wisdom," he said.
SELFIE: Steamers prop Jordan Lay takes a picture with Rotorua Intermediate pupils. PHOTO/BEN FRASER
The players were also asked who their favourite teammate was, their favourite rugby player of all time, the funniest thing they had seen playing rugby, what they love about the game and what they would be doing if they were not playing rugby.
After a "chant-off" the players handed out Steamers drink bottles and posters, which got a great reception from the children.
Rotorua Intermediate Taeotu Whanau leader Jodi Le Comte-Hepburn said the players were "awesome".
"The kids really responded to their humour, they were great with the kids and it really tied into the unit we are doing on leadership.
"They answered a lot of questions on what inspired and motivated them from a sporting angle. The giveaways are a massive bonus, they're on a high for the rest of the day now," she said.
