Widnes Vikings star Frank Winterstein teaches his new buddies about Australian culture

Mar 19 2012 by Daniel Mckenzie, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RUGBY-MAD pupils from Beechwood Primary School in Runcorn were left star struck when Widnes Viking Frank Winterstein popped in to teach them about culture in his Australian homeland.

This season schools across Halton have been allocated a Vikings player as their dedicated ‘buddy’, as part of the club’s Valhalla Foundation initiative.

Last week fan-favourite Frank became the first player to visit his new pals as they experienced an Australian-themed day as part of their integrated studies.

Frank fired up the barbecue and cooked the children traditional Australian hot dogs – or ‘snags’ as they are known Down Under – before playing some rugby and cricket.

Frank, who moved from Australia to the UK in 2009, posed for photographs, signed autographs and answered the children’s questions.

A spokesman for the Valhalla Foundation said: “The pupils from Beechwood were the first to write a letter to their new personal player asking for him to spend some time with them and Frank was more than happy to meet his new buddies.

“At 6ft 4ins tall and weighing in at more than 16 stone, the children were amazed at how big he was and were impressed with his Aussie accent.

“The other players are all now waiting to hear from their schools so they can visit like Frank did.”