While the result didn’t go the GIANTS’ way, Saturday was still a big day for 65 high school students from Narrandera.
The bus load from ‘Zac Williams territory’ in the Riverina left home at 3.30am to travel to Spotless Stadium to watch their home town hero and take part in the Multicultural Round festivities.
The trip was the brain child of Narrandera High School physical education teacher Beth Chappell, who’s using football to reward students for good behaviour.
It was a 22-hour round trip with the bus load returning to Narrandera at 1am Sunday morning with plenty of good memories in tow.
It’s the second AFL trip the school has done this season following the round five journey to witness the GIANTS’ victory over St Kilda in Melbourne.
Chappell told the Daily Telegraph that the Sydney trip was a priceless experience for the students.
“It shows the kids dreams are achievable,” Chappell said.
“Zac is a massive inspiration for our kids. To see a kid from Narrandera like Zac doing what he’s doing is fantastic.
“The GIANTS had us involved in the pre-game events as well. The boys and girls held the flags of the world as part of Multicultural Round. It gave the kids the chance to be involved.”
Despite the disappointing loss, Williams made sure he met up with the group following the game, posing for countless photographs and signing autographs until his hand cramped.
The dashing defender grew up in Narrandera before finishing high school as a boarder at Scotch College in Albury.
Having been selected in the 2013 rookie draft, the 21-year old was the first player from the GIANTS Academy to play AFL for the club.
Williams has gone on to become a key member of the GIANTS backline, with 44 games next to his name.
“It’s great that these guys from my hometown care enough to make such a huge effort to come and watch us play,” Williams said.
“Fellow Narrandera boy Matty Flynn and I always try to help out with the local community whenever we get back to town and we always stay up to date with how the local team is travelling.
“It’s disappointing that we didn’t get the result on Saturday but I think the kids still had a great day and hopefully they can see what’s possible when you set your mind to something.”
Chappell said despite the 1052km round trip, the effort was certainly worth it.
“These trips give the kids opportunities they don’t get in Narrandera,” Chappell said.
“There were some who had never been to Sydney before. It was so rewarding because we were out on the ground the kids got to see the Collingwood and GIANTS players up close,” Chappell said.
“The kids got to meet Justice Crew and shake hands with them which they were very excited about.”
With fellow Narrandera product Matthew Flynn travelling well in the NEAFL, hopefully in the not too distant future, the local high school students will have twice as much reason to cheer on the GIANTS.
