Rugby players help kids fight bullying (+video)

BOP Steamers team members entertain the kids at Malfroy School. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Standing up to bullying is akin to being part of the Bay of Plenty Steamers, according to prop Joe Royal.

Members of the ITM Cup team were in Rotorua yesterday to promote tomorrow's match against Taranaki and to also share an anti-bullying message developed with Bully Free Bro.

Royal was joined at Malfroy School by Te Aihe Toma, Zak Hohneck and Ziggy Fisi'ihoi.

The Step Up challenge encourages students to stand up for those who have been bullied, team up and to speak up.

"You're Malfroy School, you're a whanau, a team," said Royal. "We're a team, I look out for these boys and they look out for me."

Children had a chance to ask questions, including if they had been bullied at school, and there were fun games, such as a press up competition between Steamers, students and teachers.

Three of the four players feature in Rotorua clubs but it was a special visit for Hohneck, who is a former student of Malfroy School.

"It's an absolute pleasure to be back," he told the school. "I played for the Steamers many years ago and that was my proudest moment."

The visit was one of many the Steamers took part in yesterday to get young people interested in the match, which is at 5.35pm tomorrow at the Rotorua International Stadium.

Malfroy School principal Nicky Brell said the players shared an important message.

"We work on no-bullying every single day," he said. "These guys carry a lot of mana. When they talk our boys, in particular, will listen to what they have to say and hopefully take it on board. "One day it might be them coming back here. "For Zak Hohneck to come back and acknowledge he was part of the school and proud of it, says a lot."

Meanwhile the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is holding the Cobb 'n' Co Junior Open Day today where players are holding an open training run.

Players not named in tomorrow's big game will be helping the kids in drills, skills and relays.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union events co-ordinator Amanda Thompson said it would be a great opportunity for kids to chuck the ball around and get their favourite players' autographs.

"It's awesome to see the smiles on their faces when they get to meet their heroes," she said.

After today's training run, Cobb 'n' Co is supplying a barbecue for the team, kids and parents at the stadium.