As Gilgai, Tingha and Gum Flat Public Schools gathered to host their annual combined swimming carnival on Tuesday, they were joined by a special guest.
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Professional rugby league player Vanessa Foliaki dropped by to speak a little bit about her career with the NRLW Sydney Roosters and how important respect is.
Students grouped together before diving in the pool to hear more about respectful relationships and what they could do to show more respect.
When asked what comes to mind when students heard the word 'respect', many different answers arose.
Being nice to one another, good manners, speaking nice, listening and not talking over people were all great answers by the youngsters.
"I'm fortunate enough to have played for the Roosters for the past two years. It's a great club. What the head coach of the NRL, Trent Robinson, instills in the club is to show everyone the same respect because really everyone is on the same level," Foliaki explained.
"Regardless if your head coach, or James Tedesco... You treat everyone the way you'd want to be treated. We all train together, use the same facilities and eat together which is awesome."
Foliaki asked if the youngsters had any questions for her. The first was "what age did you start playing?"
As an Auckland (New Zealand) girl, Foliaki started playing union when she was six years old. It was only six years ago she made the switch to league.
Another question was, what was your favourite game and what position do you play? "Beating QLD for the first time in 17 years in women's origin. I play second row, but anywhere in the middle."
As women's rugby league isn't full-time, Foliaki trains and plays whilst balancing full-time work and university studying psychology.
As for her biggest inspiration, that was an easy one to answer. NRLW legend "Ruan Sims", who was in Ashford yesterday morning.
Foliaki left some awesome NRL prizes with teachers for those students who showcased respect during the swimming carnival.
The professional athlete was in Inverell as part of a NRL Road to Regions tour which saw NRL and NRLW players, as well as former stars, embark on a week-long series of visits throughout remote and regional areas.
A fundraising event was held at Kamilaroi Oval later than evening in support of Inverell's junior and senior rugby league clubs.
