Bird flies home for school visit

By Ellie-Marie Watts – Port Stephens Examiner

Tomaree Primary’s after-school AFL program featured some star power on Monday when former student and Sydney Swans player Craig Bird joined the children for a kick.

Family friend and ambassador for the sport, Penny Byth, arranged for Bird to join the students participating in the six-week program, which introduces them to the game.

“I heard he was back and rang up Craig’s parents and asked if Craig could come help with the session,” Blyth said.

Bird, home in Nelson Bay before preseason training begins, was happy to join the children out on the footy field at the school where his passion for the game started.

“It’s good for the kids to have a look at the [premiership] medal and it gives AFL a boost.”

Bird said most professional teams are encouraged to get involved with schools and AFL programs to promote the sport, something he said players, including himself, are happy to do.

As well as showing them some AFL skills, after the session Bird signed pictures, school bags and hats for the students – and a few parents.

Blyth said Bird was someone the students could look up and aspire to.

Bird will join the school in a special assembly on Friday.

He will be around the Bay for a few more weeks before heading back to Sydney to start training for the 2013 AFL season.

“I just signed for another two years, which is pretty good,” Bird said.