There was a double debut to be proud of for a couple of NSW public school alumni who played their first topflight National Rugby League games within two hours of each other last week.

Luke Smith (Denman Public School and Muswellbrook High School) came off the bench as table-topping Canterbury enjoyed a come-from-behind win over the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

Smith, who played much of the second half, was rewarded with a call-up after enjoying a stellar junior rugby league career that culminated in captaining the Bulldogs’ Jersey Flegg team.

A couple of hours earlier 2023 graduate Fletcher Hunt (Warren Central School) was straight into the action as a starting winger for Newcastle against Parramatta.

Alas, not even a heaving home crowd could get the Knights home, but you couldn’t wipe the smile off Fletcher’s face as he embraced the ‘Fletch Hunt’ cheer squad, made up of former teammates from the Nyngan Tigers.

“Fletcher has shown unwavering determination, perseverance and motivation in pursuit of his dream,” Warren Central School principal Robyn Taylor said.

“We are just stoked and so proud of him.”

It’s been a big few weeks for the Bulldogs and NSW public schools as the club also launched its Game Changers program.

Kingsgrove North High School, Canterbury Girls High School, Bass High School, Strathfield South High School and Punchbowl Boys High School have all been part of the course designed to burnish high school students’ education with extra life skills.

As part of the program, students tackle seven core topics: mental health, physical health, financial literacy, safe social media use, road safety, career planning and leadership.  

Punchbowl Boys has already completed the road safety course.  

Sessions are held at Belmore Sports Ground weekly and are led by a NESA-accredited teacher, ensuring a quality educational experience, while Bulldogs players, coaches and staff will join sessions to share stories from their own journeys.  

The courses have been reviewed and endorsed by the NSW Police Force while the Australian Defence Force also supports the program.

Bulldogs forward Kurtis Morrin, a former student at Campsie Public School and Westfields Sports High, said he really related to students from the area.

“It wasn’t actually that long ago I was in their shoes,” said Morrin, who is also a qualified plumber.

“I wasn’t that good at school … but I knuckled down and got my trade. Teaching those life skills and getting out in the real world adds so much.”