Upward of 40 kids converged on the PCYC for Minichiello’s clinic, which had to be moved from Endeavour Oval at the 11^th hour thanks to Friday’s downpour.

“Everyone’s been telling me how hot it’s been here for the last month or two, I guess I’ve brought the rain with me,” Minichiello laughed.

“I didn’t actually check the forecast all that closely, but the PCYC really came through for us in the end and it was a really good day.

“The kid’s had a ball.

“One hundred per cent, I’d love to come back here. I’ll speak to the [organisers] about coming back up again and hopefully we can make it a permanent fixture.”

Minichiello, assisted by Orange CYMS’ utility back Robbie Mortimer, took the kids through plenty.

“We had a fitness component and a games component and we had some footy skills as another component as well (in the morning),” Minichiello said.

“The other trainers and the kids had fun with that, then (in the afternoon) I spoke to the kids about leading a healthy lifestyle, nutrition and what they’re doing with their hydration and sleep, they’re all things that are really important.

“Most guys and girls love to play sport and a lot of them dream to play professional sport, so if we can get through to a few of them about leading a healthy lifestyle and help them on their way there then it’s a success.”

As for his Roosters, Minichiello – who played 302 NRL games, 11 State of Origins for NSW and 19 Test Matches for the Kangaroos – said fans can expect a big year after the side struggled through 2016.

Last winter the tri-colours finished 15^th, second last, and posted just six victories.

“They’ve had a really good pre-season, much better than last year,” the title-winning fullback said.

“Everyone’s fresh, they’re fit at the moment so I think we’ll have a good year.”