National Rugby League (NRL) players from the Gold Coast Titans visited schools in the Clarence Valley last week, to present interactive education lessons to students on the themes of “respect, belonging and celebrating differences within the community”. The NRL’s Community Carnival initiative, which is rolled out through February, “will travel more than 40,000kms to visit more than 1,000 schools, host up to 80 Junior Rugby League clinics and visit more than 250,000 primary and secondary students throughout Australia and New Zealand”. NRL General Manager of Community, Ellen Beale said in a media release that the NRL Community Carnival is supported by every NRL club and key NRL ambassadors. “It’s an exciting opportunity for NRL fans to get up close and personal with some of the league’s most outstanding players, whilst delivering educational messages on respect,” she said, “and [is a] rewarding opportunity for NRL Clubs to visit thousands of supporters and club fans, particularly those in regional and rural areas, and thank them for their support ahead of the 2017 … season. Gold Coast Titans player Jarrod Wallace said he and fellow teammates “really enjoy visiting our young fans and junior players around the country every year”. “Not only is it a great way to give back to all the footy fans out there, but it’s also an important opportunity to teach the next generation of kids to be inclusive and respectful both on and off the field,” he said.