Why Billy Slater wants kids to be active
Melbourne Storm great Billy Slater is an icon of the NRL, and a picture of health and fitness – and now he’s passing on his passion to a new generation.
Billy Slater has been playing sport for most of his life.
The Melbourne Storm great, aged 34, started playing rugby league when he was a young boy and is now in his 16th season of the NRL.
Despite being sidelined by two shoulder reconstructions during his career, Billy, who has also represented the Australian Kangaroos in the Rugby League World Cup, has never lost his passion for the game.
“I think the day you lose that drive to become a better player and lose that drive to compete, well, the writing is on the wall to hang ‘em up and give the game away – but that hasn’t happened for me yet,” Billy says.
Passing the torch
That passion for sport and being active is something the Storm fullback likes to share with the younger generation.
The father of two runs Billy’s Buddies rugby league clinics in Queensland and New South Wales, to teach children aged 2 to 6 basic ball skills and confidence.
“It’s about building motor skills and confidence within young kids and getting them in to a team environment,” Billy says. “Seeing how many happy kids there are when I go to these clinics is really enjoyable.”
Helping kids get fit and healthy
Billy believes it’s vital we look after the health of our kids.
“There’s so much information out there on the benefits of exercise and healthy eating and we should be pushing that on to our younger generation,” he says.
“A lot of it is knowledge and giving kids the opportunities to make better choices.”
Leading by example
An active father, Billy and wife Nicole regularly take family holidays with their daughter Tyla, 9, and son Jake, 7, which incorporate exercise.
“We like to go to the park and go to the beach and swim and surf,” he says.
“When we go on holidays, we’re out in the water snorkelling and doing a lot of activities. It’s important to keep moving for all-round health; I think that’s what drives us.”
Chemist Warehouse is the official performance partner for Melbourne Storm, announcing the three-year partnership in April 2018.
Photo supplied by the Slater family and Melbourne Storm Media
Written by Erin Miller
