Westpac NSW Sky Blues forward Keeley Davis knows Millie Elliott as both an Origin and Sydney Roosters NRLW teammate but now has had the chance to watch her in her ‘other job’.
Elliott set up the Trainer Group Foundation with ‘Game Changer’ workshops for adults and schoolkids as the cornerstones of education and self-improvement for people with disabilities.
She has taken her workshops regionally, within the Sydney metropolitan area, and to a host of NRL clubs.
Currently Elliott and Davis are facilitating a five-week adult course each Tuesday at NSWRL’s Centre of Excellence with both classroom and outdoor activities.
The 20 participants learn about setting goals, teamwork, exercise, health and nutritional tips and improving their social interactions.
“Knowing how hard she works to make sure everyone gets an opportunity, gets treated with respect, and gets to feel part of a team … being able to see her work at that first-hand is inspirational,” Davis told nswrl.com.au
“This is my first five-week program so I’m excited to see the guys come in each week and see how they grow in confidence and involvement, and how they connect as a group.
“Millie loves doing this. She is a very compassionate and understanding woman.
“Most people don’t see this side of her – they only know her as this intimidating front row forward,” Davis said.
Elliott has a sister Hannah with Down syndrome, which she credits for giving her a reason to create a safe and accessible space for people with all abilities to come to her workshops.
“Anybody who sees Millie in this space will learn what an incredible person she is and what she does here far outweighs anything she’ll do on the football field,” Davis said.
“She’s changing people’s lives and places in the community.”
At the end of the current five-week program Elliott is hoping her ‘Game Changer’ group will play a touch footy game against a Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks all abilities team.
Fellow Sky Blues teammate Emma Tonegato is hosting 'Game Changer' workshops in the Shire, in Sydney's south.
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