For Pat McCutcheon, it’s a special feeling to be back living out west.
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But making a real difference in regional communities while being based at home makes it even better.
The Narromine product and former NSW Waratah and Australian Olympian has returned to the family farm but has also taken on a role with the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation.
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It was through that role he was at Apex Oval on Saturday afternoon, the latest stop on the NSW Rugby Union’s Get Talkin’ Tour.
“It’s really, really good we can provide this service,” he said.
McCutcheon retired in 2016 and after two years working in youth development, talent identification, and pathway programs for NSW Rugby he has taken on the new role.
he major part of the role is to ensure there is a connection between regional rugby and the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation (NPRF), the official charity of the NSW Rugby Union and one which works to grow the game, invest in grassroots programs, and ensure the health and well-being of the community.
“I always wanted to move home and James Godfrey (head of the NPRF) said there was an opportunity in the country to lead that role and become a real stakeholder in it,” McCutcheon said.
“It keeps me in the game tightly and gives me an opportunity to give back in a way that hasn’t been done enough in the past.”
The main focus of Saturday’s Get Talkin Tour stop, run in conjunction with mental health organisation Batyr, was to help create ambassadors and give people the tools to help those friends or those in the community who are in need.
It was also much more than though though, as Aussie 7s stars Shannon Parry and Demi Hayes ran a session with young girls from the region while Waratahs duo Cody Walker and Tom Robertson, a Dubbo junior, also put youngsters through their paces.
“We had the parents, administrators and community members come in and we were fortunate enough to run a session with the girls as well. We also had Cody Walker and Tom Robertson running through some skills with the kids. Rugby is such an awesome vehicle to connect with people,” McCutcheon said.
“You always want more (people), that’s natural but it’s all about progress. We spoke of a three-year plan so we’re building ambassadors and cresting awareness, and then it’s about developing first aid mental health officers and in year three we’ll have the trainers here.
“It’s all about building a sustainable model and I think there’s big things ahead.”
A former sevens player himself at the Olympics, McCutcheon was particularly pleased to see Parry and Hayes pass on their expertise to the next generation.