Anglo American’s Brisbane Broncos Regional Tour paid a visit to Moranbah on Saturday 12 November with gifted playmaker Justin Hodges taking a break from his annual leave to run a rugby league skills clinic for local kids before making a special guest appearance at the 10th annual Anglo American Moranbah North Mine Cup race day.
Together with former Brisbane Broncos speed sensation Mick Hancock, Justin spent the morning putting more than 100 eager Moranbah junior rugby league enthusiasts through their paces at Darryl Bourke Oval, home of the Moranbah Miners.
Anglo American’s Moranbah North General Manager, Murray Wood, said Anglo American was delighted to partner with the Brisbane Broncos for their Regional Tour Program for 2011/2012.
“Moranbah has a proud history of producing some of Queensland’s finest rugby league players and Anglo American is keen to see this tradition continue by having Australian and Queensland representative players such as Justin Hodges and Mick Hancock on hand to share their skills with our local junior players,” Mr Wood said.
The visit to Moranbah was part of Anglo American’s 18 month sponsorship with the Brisbane Broncos that will see the mining company bringing well-known football stars to local schools in its communities to run skills clinics and host motivational programs targeted towards young people.
“This sponsorship is about supporting education and healthy living in our local communities, while promoting Anglo American’s difference through a partnership with a well-known and highly-respected football club,” Mr Wood said.
The younger residents of Moranbah were not the only ones to show their support of the Brisbane Broncos, with a record crowd on hand during Saturday afternoon at the Moranbah Race Club where Justin Hodges and Mick Hancock were special guests for the running of the 10th Anglo American Moranbah North Mine Cup.
Moranbah locals of all ages gave Justin and Mick a warm welcome to country racing as they revelled in the opportunity to capture a photo or autograph from their Broncos heroes.
The next stops for the Anglo American Brisbane Broncos Regional Tour are Biloela and Moura on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 November respectively. Popular Broncos prop Ben Hannant will be on hand to lead the skills clinic for primary and high school students.
Contact:
Metallurgical Coal External Affairs:
Jacqui Strambi: 0439 774 526
Notes to editors:
Anglo American plc is one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Its portfolio of mining businesses spans precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds; base metals – copper and nickel; and bulk commodities – iron ore, metallurgical coal and thermal coal. Anglo American is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations. The company’s mining operations and extensive pipeline of growth projects are located in southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America and Asia.
www.angloamerican.com