The Bay of Plenty Steamers visited Bethlehem College today to help educate pupils against bullying.

The visit by the rugby side was part of the Bully No More campaign run by Bay of Plenty Rugby in partnership with Tauranga Safe City aimed at primary and intermediate school pupils.

Steamers players Toby Arnold, Warren Lippi-Smith and Ben Smith meet with Bethlehem College students.

In 2010 The Bay Rugby Union and Tauranga Safe City formed a partnership to develop and deliver community programmes.

The focus of the programme is on elimination off all forms of violence.

The programmes draw on the resources and capabilities of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union and are particularly effective in addressing significant social and community issues such as bullying and family violence.
Tauranga Safe City coordinator Mike Mills says the partnership between the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union and Tauranga Safe City continues to flourish.

He says it provides a platform for the development of innovative and effective programmes that are embraced within the organisation and promoted throughout the community.

'This is an outstanding example of a high profile and widely respected regional sports body taking leadership in addressing violence in all its forms in the community.”
A special feature of the Bully No More campaign is the production of collectable Steamers player's cards.
The 33 individual cards will feature a photo and profile information on each of the 2012 Bay of Plenty Steamers team.

Today well-known players including former Tauranga Boys' College student Ben Smith, Toby Arnold and Warren Lippi-Smith delivered anti-bullying messages before throwing the ball around with the students and giving out the Bully No More playing cards.