Russell Robertson had to walk to school on Friday for the first time in quite a few years. Russell was helping to celebrate ‘Walk to School’ week, and met up with Zac de Silva from Elsternwick Primary School, who entered a competition on Nova radio to win the chance to walk to school with a player from his team. Zac, nearly 10, and a Melbourne fan since he and his family moved to Australia from New Zealand a few years ago, said “I just can’t wait to see the looks on the kids’ faces when I arrive at School with Russell Robertson.”

Zac shared the experience of meeting Russell with his friends, about 20 of whom he invited along for the walk. Nuala, 12, the only Melbourne supporter in her family, who regularly walks to school said, “Walking to school is good for your health and it helps the environment.” On the 20 minute walk, Russell chatted to the kids about everything from footy to his own memories of walking to school back in Tasmania. The kids, led by Zac, also sang an excellent rendition of ‘The Grand old Flag’, which Nova played on radio.

MELBOURNEfc partners with the Bayside City Council’s Walking School Bus program.