FORMER Canberra Raiders captain and Loomberah native Alan Tongue has returned to the region to pass on some wisdom to the next generation of players.
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For the third-straight year Tongue, alongside mother Janelle, will host a three-day rugby league camp at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, promoting the game through the Scripture Union spirit.
The camp focuses not only on developing the skills of the participants, but also the religious values of the Christian faith.
"This is our third time running this camp and, with 60 kids, involved it is our biggest yet," Tongue told the Leader.
"It has been really good to see it grow each year and to see so many kids from around the region come along and get involved."
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Tongue said combining his love of rugby league and religion was "very rewarding".
"Rugby league has been a big part of my life and, being a Christian person as well, it has been great to be able to share that message," he said.
"To combine those passions and share it with other people is really nice."
The former Raiders captain said encouraging young people to get involved with the sport was only one benefit of the three-day camp.
"There's plenty of footy content, that's for sure," he said.
"The kids will be able to hear about the Jesus and the Bible, but will also work on their skills and play two games under lights, which is always exciting for them.
"This camp to me is just as much about developing the kids as players as it is about developing them as people."
The camp runs until Wednesday.