NSWRL’s Community and Welfare Officer Paul Langmack has kicked off his ‘Changing Rooms’ program for 2025 with a talk to 100 First Nations teenagers from the Far West Academy of Sport about mental fitness and wellbeing.
The group of boys and girls aged 15-17, from rural and remote communities including Trangie, Bourke, Lightning Ridge, Cobar, Milparinka, Broken Hill and Lake Cargelligo was in Sydney for the annual NRL All Stars Indigenous-Maori games at CommBank Stadium last weekend.
“In my general talk on mental fitness I focus on the things they can control in their lives,” said Langmack, a triple premiership-winner with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, a True Blue and a Test player.
“Happiness and hard work just don’t happen – you have to work at them.
“I had a fairly rough upbringing and I know that many of the young Rugby League players I spoke to, also haven’t had things easy.
“But if you’re happy or unhappy it’s because of you. We all must take responsibility for our actions and stop blaming others if things don’t work out the way we want.
“I talked about hard work not only being a skill, but a way to succeed in life. And that’s having a work ethic no matter if it’s in a relationship, at school, or in a footy team.”
Langmack delivers his sessions with trained social workers and travels to metropolitan and regional Rugby League clubs, schools, community group and other sporting codes and associations.
Since his pilot program in 2019, Langmack has delivered talks to more than 11,000 people across the state.
Langmack also covers diet, exercise and wellness tips, anti-bullying and putting some structure into daily routines.
“Making your bed every day is a great start,” he said. “You’re winning already if you can make this a simple habit and we are all creatures of habit.
“Another would be to start writing things down you want to do in your life. You don’t have to tell anyone but you commit yourself to making these little things happen.
“One of the best is to not hang around anyone who drags you down, makes you feel bad. You are in charge of your own happiness.
“But if you are struggling, not happy, then it’s cool to reach out to someone and talk about it. That’s showing strength. And if you haven’t heard from a mate in a while, reach out to them and see if they’re okay.”
Email plangmack@nswrl.com.au to book ‘Changing Rooms’ for your club or organisation.
