Fittler lends voice to healthy choices program during regional visit

The visit was held in partnership with the Wellington Aboriginal Health Corporation and their Quit-B-Fit and Deadly Choices programs, both of which have enjoyed the support of NSWRL.

Fittler, who won eight State of Origin matches for NSW as a captain and coached the Blues to two back-to-back series wins in 2018 and 2019, was on hand to deliver the message of healthy choices and arranged for NSW Origin balls to be handed out and signed ahead of the Touch Football session start.

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WACHS Events and Promotions Officer Adam Ryan said the visit was a huge boost for the all-important message of health safety, saying the words carried a lot more impact for a town with such strong ties to NSWRL when heard coming from Fittler.

"It's a huge benefit to us having him come out here and deliver that message, there's a lot of the kids who really look up to guys like him," Ryan said.

"A lot of the kids have only ever seen him or other players on television, so to have him come out and have a talk and to make the effort to sign NSW Origin balls and hand them out is really fantastic for us."

Ryan noted that Deadly Choices and Quit-B-Fit, which already has partnerships with Blake Ferguson's Paramatta Eels and Kotoni Stagg's Brisbane Broncos, is just another strong link between the town and the current strength of the NSWRL playing roster.

"We'd love to link up with the Panthers who of course have Brent Naden or the Gold Coast with Tyrone Peachey, that'd be fantastic, but the support that's been given to us has been really incredible," Ryan said.

While the enthusiasm was such that Fittler didn't have enough rugby league paraphernalia on hand to keep everyone happy, the hall of famer went to the extra effort of cataloguing those who'd missed out and delivering a fresh round of signed gear the next day.

"For him to go that length was really special, it really made the day for the kids," Ryan said.

"It's such an important message and we are a town where everyone loves their footy, so it means a lot to have their backing and support."

"The Deadly Choices shirts, they've actually become really popular, and you have to get a health check in order to get one, so it's good to see that a lot of people are supporting the program and I think that's probably because of people like Freddy [Fittler] and Fergo [Ferguson]."

Ryan also extended his gratitude to the Wellington Touch Football organisation, who were gracious enough to host the visit during peak hours at one of their game nights.

"It was really good of them, we asked and they were more than happy to allow us along, so that's something we're really grateful for," Ryan said.

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