Brumbies players Andrew Smith, Etienne Oosthuizen and Mark Swanpoel were in town on Friday to talk to students and sign autographs before heading off to Murrumburrah.

It was all part of the Brumbies ActewALG country visits program to get more children interested and involved in rugby union.

With the Brumbies having a bye in their Super 12s season at the weekend, their light training duties last week allowed them to take some time out of their busy schedules to visit the schools. 

“We play the Waratahs next weekend (May 18-19) in Sydney. There’s a few important games coming up that’ll hopefully see us make the finals,” Smith said on Friday.

It was the players’ first time to Young and while they didn’t have much of a chance to have a good look around, they liked what they did see and said that “it’s a nice place”.

Oosthiuzen provided some advice for the youngsters, saying “if you have a dream, keep following it, don’t give up.”

Young Public School teacher Amanda Butt said her school doesn’t see many high profile visiting players and that the Brumbies visit was one of the students’ first opportunities they’ve had to meet professional athletes.

“I think every kid has lined up to get an autograph, it’s been very worth the trip,” Ms Butt said.

“The kids are more aware of the sport because they have been given more opportunities to play – it compliments our Junior Yabbies Club,” she said.

There are plans there may be rugby union development officers running clinics during holidays with one held in Young a likely chance.

There are also plans for more of these visits and clinics will be held to build rugby union in the region.