Sports is a platform that can impact many young people’s lives in a positive manner. This was the message from sports icon Sonny Bill Williams to the students of Nabua Secondary School in Suva. “The beautiful thing about being here in Fiji is that I see there’s so many different walks of life, but everyone comes together when the Fiji sevens team play and it doesn’t matter where you’re from,” he said yesterday.
“I’m a big believer in using sports as a vehicle for goodness and change because it’s done so much for my life.” Williams said he is an advocate for hard work and the ability for one to learn from their past mistakes. “I’m not a scholar, or man of knowledge but I’m a layman,” he said.
“I’m a deep believer in living life with purpose and sport; if we can use sports for change and as a vehicle to show that drugs aren’t good.” Williams said youths can find success in sports and education. “I just try to push that message as that’s what’s sport has done for myself,” he said.
“I’m going to speak at a father and sons forum when I get back to Sydney, Australia.” Williams said he is often approached by parents to advice and counsel their troubled teenagers. “Brother it starts at home, and it starts with you as your kids are a reflection of yourself,” he said.
“My message to the parents is simple; how will my kids have patience if I don’t have patience, how are my kids will have purpose and drive if I don’t have that.�.