Community & Business
22 February, 2024
Students inspired to dream big
The International Legends of League visited local schools recently, encouraging students to work hard to achieve their own goals, and never give up on their dreams.
This program Dream, Believe, Achieve, is designed to educate students about the importance of having a dream.
It uses retired professional rugby league players, to inspire students to achieve life goals in their chosen fields.
The League included ex-players Craig Teevan, Ashley Taylor, Jaiman Lowe, John Hopoate, Peter Gill, Terry Matterson, and Ben Hannant.
They spoke with students from Southbrook Central State School, Pittsworth State School, St Stephen’s Primary School, Pittsworth State High School, Brookstead State School, Millmerran State School and St Joseph’s Primary School.
Each player talked about their own personal experiences, and how they achieved their dreams of playing professional football.
Messages of self-belief, motivation, diligence, persistence, sacrifice and hard work were mentioned by each player.
Ben Hannant spoke about greatness, and that everyone person has greatness within them.
He reminded kids that they didn’t have to be great at football, but it could be any other occupation, skill or sport.
“You have greatness in you, but are you willing to let that greatness out of you?” Mr Hannant challenged each student.
Also spoken about, was the significance of having a back up plan, as the path to greatness isn’t always an easy one.
Returning to his old stomping ground, was Millmerran-born man Steve Lacey.
Lacey played with the Pittsworth Danes for many years, winning them the 2004 premiership.
Although he never made it professionally as a rugby league player, Lacey explained how his dream, and drive to achieve his goals, have seen him become the retail operation’s manager for Rebel Sport in QLD, NSW, NT and ACT.
Players also touched on the importance of having life experiences, and a good education.
Steve Lacey explained that his first job was chipping weeds out of cotton fields, followed by a position at D. A. Halls, where he would pack eggs day in, day out.
“It’s okay to not know what you want to do, but just do something,” he reminded them.
“If you are around positive people, positive things happen.”
Bullying was spoken about briefly, with the players encouraging students to stand up and be the person who stops it, rather than the person who doesn’t.
Even William Shakespeare, the most infamous playwright in the English language, understood what themes truly resonate with people.
One of his most iconic quotes from his play Twelfth Night, encapsulates the pursuit of greatness:
“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”.
Themes of greatness, self-belief, motivation, and perseverance are just as relevant today.
They are an encouragement to our younger generations to dream, believe and achieve whatever they set their minds too.
So, dream big kids!
