Matthew Richardson, Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin helped to officially launch the Connex Tigers in Schools (CTIS) program for 2009 at Punt Road Oval yesterday.
 
The Richmond Football Club has been working closely with Connex over the last five years to run the CTIS program, which will visit 25,000 students in 200 primary schools across Melbourne this year.
 
The program provides children with the opportunity to participate in a unique football development clinic that teaches children about the basic skills of football, as well as informing them about Connex train safety messages.

“The program gives the students an opportunity to learn football skills from experienced coaches and players. Teaching the students about train safety in a fun and active environment has also been very successful,” CTIS Program Coordinator Michael Lacy said.
 
“It is a great program that Melbourne primary schools have loved being involved in.”
 
Connex Group General Manager Customer Services Geoff Young said Connex has benefited from its long association with Richmond.
 
“With high professional heroes and a famous club in Richmond, we will get important safety messages across to the 25,000 kids,” he said.
 
“They will include where to stand on platforms, where to be seen and how to board and get off trains with the perfect safety.”
 
Richmond young gun Trent Cotchin said he was looking forward to visiting primary schools this season.
 
“It’s a good opportunity to get out there in the schools and offer help to developing young footballers in the school community, and also to teach them about safety on trains,” he said.
 
Click here to find out more about the CTIS program