Chiefs rugby players go back to school in bullying programme
Chiefs players Lelia Masaga and Fritz Lee found themselves back in school recently when they visited Hamilton West Primary.
The Chiefs are going back to school to help Hamilton students learn about confidence and bullying.
Players from the Waikato rugby team took time out to visit Hamilton West Primary School earlier this month.
Local rugby stars Lelia Masaga and Fritz Lee spent the afternoon assisting police education officer Constable Lance Smith to teach a class of nine and 10-year-olds about confidence and bullying.
Both players said it is great to be involved in the Kia Kaha initiative as many children struggle with bullying.
Mr Lee said: “It’s awesome giving back to the kids because we wish someone had taught us how to be confident and deal with bullies when we were growing up.”
Hamilton West Primary School has been teaching the Kia Kaha programme for six years but this is the first time the Chiefs have been involved in the programme.
However, both athletes said it definitely will not be the last.
Keith O’Donnell, a teacher at Hamilton West Primary said: “Having people like Liam and Fritz involved means so much because there aren’t enough positive male role models out there for children. The Chiefs are real heroes the students can look up to and learn from.”
Students Georgia Wharry and Benjamin Anderson agreed that having the Chiefs in the classroom is “very cool.”
“I always watch them on TV,” Benjamin said.
Kia Kaha is an in-school education programme delivered by police officers to teach students about bullying and how to prevent and deal with it.
Constable Lance Smith said: “It’s about creating a safe environment for everyone and having the Chiefs on board is a great way to help tackle the issue.”
