MICHAEL Howell hosted a coaching clinic at Newcastle High School on Wednesday.
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Later that night he helped conduct a Get Talking mental health workshop in Maitland.
Thursday, he will be visiting schools in Cessnock. Last week, he ran a a gala day.
On Saturday, Howell will lead the charge for Maitland against Singleton at Marcelin Park.
Rugby. Rugby. Rugby.
Howell, the NSW Rugby Union development officer in the Hunter, gets to combine work with play.
"I love it," the 27-year-old told Maul and All during a 30-minute window between coaching. "Our work environment is great. My colleagues and I are all rugby people. We go away for work and it is like going on a tour. Our biggest growth area is in schools and we channel a lot of our efforts towards that. We are fortunate in the Hunter that we have a lot of rugby people involved in schools, especially at the secondary level. It's great for the game."
As well as spread the rugby gospel, Howell has been a leader of the Blacks pack since returning in 2016 from a professional stint in France. Before that he played in New Zealand and with ACT Brumbies academy.
He returned from a knee injury in the 53-29 win over Nelson Bay on Saturday. It was his second game since tearing the medial ligament in his knee in round four.
"The knee feels good," he said. "Now it is a matter of getting match fitness. I was good for about 25 to 30 minutes on the weekend and [coach] Matt Thomas kept me out there for 70."
Howell's presence is timely for the fourth-placed Blacks.
"He brings a calmness on the field and at training," Thomas said. "He doesn't say much but when he does it is direct and impacts the players."
With Travis Brooke out with knee and shoulder issues, Howell will again play at No.8 against the Bulls.
"He brings a different dynamic to the side," Thomas said. "He is a large man, he is mobile and can read a game very well. We have lost a lot of experience with Travis out, but we get it back with Howelly."
Howell featured in the Blacks' past two losing grand finals, both to Hamilton in 2010 and 2018. It is what fuels him to keep going.
"The grand final loss broke us at the end of last year," Howell said. "The amount we threw into it and not coming up with the chocolates ... you ask if it is worth doing again?
"It will click. When you look around at training and see the guys who are there, if we can't win the comp with the squad we have this year, you wonder if it will ever happen in my career. Our depth and balance is far better. We haven't had our proper team on the park yet because of injuries. As long as we are ready mid August we will be laughing."
