Ryan flew in to Dubbo on Wednesday afternoon to prepare for some school visits and turf laying as part of the Hogs For Homeless visit to Wellington on Thursday.

This, just days after driving from his home in Newcastle to take the Western Rams under-16s and 18s squads through some pathways programs aimed at helping them not only become better footballers, but better people.

Ryan has spent his post-playing days involved in player welfare, and said it is an important and ever-growing part of rugby league.

“There’s always been players that have done what they can for community projects but now we have a dedicated welfare section and ambassadors who work with these kids and help them transition,” Ryan said.

“A lot of the stuff we did with the Western Rams kids the other day was centred around trying to make them better for being involved with rugby league.

“We share our experiences, talk about the difficulties that come from moving to an NRL club after growing up in the bush and the relocation aspect which has claimed so many talented footballers and stopped them from making it in the city.”

Ryan was joined at the Lake Burrendong camp by fellow former players Michael Hodgson, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Matt Ballin and Luke Williamson, while Daniel Holdsworth and Matt Cross ran similar sessions in the north of the state.

Kurt Gidley and Dene Halatau, both esteemed former players, are also part of a core of about 10 guys that Ryan calls on to help with the sessions.

“These guys sacrifice their family time to be involved, just so they can help these young blokes,” Ryan said.

“It might be something as simple as telling them of the need to learn how to cook and clean at home because when they go to Sydney they need those skills, especially if they’re doing an apprenticeship and training four nights a week.

“But it’s also letting them know that it is okay to go and try, and if it doesn’t work out there are still pathways to play at a high level.

“Unfortunately some guys feel like a failure if they don’t make it, but you look at the under-23s that are involved in the Country Championships now and it’s full of blokes who have been in those systems and gone home with a trade, working around town and playing in these rep squads.

“We did a resilience session with the Western 23s squad when we got back to Dubbo and it’s about letting them know that second shot might not be far away.”

As for his stint with Hogs For The Homeless, Ryan said it is another example of rugby league working with communities.

“Brad Fittler is the NSW coach now but he still has the passion for this project,” Ryan said.

“They’re helping communities and using rugby league as the avenue to do that. We’re laying turf at Kennard Park and doing work with kids at the schools, and that is what is so good about this welfare stuff we do.”