Representatives of the Australian Rugby Union and Samoa Rugby Union will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst this week to advise and prepare 13 female CSU students for their visit to schools in Samoa in mid-November to coach female school students who play rugby. Dr Matthew Winslade, lecturer at the School of Human Movement Studies said the trip is part of the University’s participation in the Pacific in Union: Mass Participation Program – Rugby4Schools. The Pacific in Union representatives are Mr Warren Robilliard and Ms Jocelyn Elliott from Australian Rugby Union, and Mr Luke Fonoti Gates with Samoa Rugby Union. “Our pre-service teachers will work with and gain firsthand experience from three of the most experienced sports outreach educators in the Pacific region,” Dr Winslade said. “Warren and Jocelyn have spent extensive time teaching, coaching and creating sports-based health programs for the South Pacific. Luke will travel from the Samoan capital, Apia, to Bathurst to provide our students with invaluable practical and cultural knowledge on Samoan culture prior to their departure. Our pre-service teachers can contribute to a worthwhile and successful international program aligned with the United Nations Millennium Goals and supported by the Australian Rugby Union to improve health outcomes for Samoan children. This training will help prepare our students for the cultural differences they will experience while in Samoa, and assist them to in working with school children and community groups.”