NSWRL Community and Welfare Officer Paul Langmack presented his ‘Changing Rooms’ wellbeing messages to a group of American students for the third successive year, reinforcing the program’s universal appeal.
Students from State University of New York (SUNY) Oswego toured the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park, with Langmack conducting a 20-minute face-to-face discussion about lifestyle and mental fitness issues.
This is the third year students from the Oswego’s Department of Health Promotion and Wellness have visited the NSWRL.
“We came here initially just to tour the facilities and halfway through we met Paul and he pulled us into a lecture theatre to talk to us,” Associate Professor, Dr Elizabeth Keida, told nswrl.com.au
“The students really took to him – they were excited by what he spoke to them about.”
Langmack has been running NSWRL’s ‘Changing Rooms’ program for the past five years speaking to schools, Junior Rugby League clubs, other sporting groups, organisations like the PCYC and even the Royal Australian Navy about the everyday issues and pressures people face in society.
“Physical fitness you can see but mental fitness is not so easy to see,” Langmack told the students.
“We all have bad days, that’s the way it is. But if you go to bed thinking tomorrow will be better, that’s being mentally fit.
“When you’re feeling like crap the worst thing you can do is do nothing, because tomorrow you’ll feel the same way. You’ve got to get up and do something that makes you feel good.”
Langmack said he encourages everyone he speaks to aged from 11 years through to 80 years to reach out to a someone like a friend, relative, welfare officer, social worker, or GP, because asking for help was a show of strength.
Dr Keida said her students were in their (northern) winter break now, between semesters, and Langmack’s messages would resonate with what they were studying.
“Students who do this course usually go on to work in allied health, become wellness co-ordinators or coaches in any number of corporations, schools or organisations,” she said.
“This is still an emerging profession back home. It is finally being recognised more as playing a vital role.
“We’re teaching similar themes as Paul talked about today. But I think it’s more impactful seeing and hearing it on the other side of the world. I feel Australia is more open to talking about these things than we are in the (United) States.”
Langmack spoke to more than 2,500 people last year through ‘Changing Rooms’ and is currently preparing to undertake a tour during 2025 of between 40 to 60 Rugby League clubs in regional NSW.
Those interested in booking ‘Changing Rooms’ for their school, sports club, or community group should email: plangmack@nswrl.com.au
