NRL player Chris Lewis better hope the Melbourne Storm renew his contract in 2022 because his teaching career could be over.
Lewis taught high school History and English before being offered a full-time playing contract with the Storm, but his recent nomination for The Frownlow Medal puts his teaching career in doubt.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while AFL player Elijah Taylor is the most recent recipient.
Lewis earned his nomination for appearing in a leaked video in the presence of cocaine, alongside Storm teammates Cameron Munster and Brandon Smith, who were partying with other men after losing the qualifying final to the Panthers.
He was given a $4000 fine and suspended for one match, and told to write an essay outlining the dangers of drugs.
He may never be allowed to teach children again because being caught in the presence of cocaine on social media will make it very difficult for him to secure a Working With Children Check. Without a WWCC, Lewis cannot work as a teacher, or in any direct role with children.
If Lewis is allowed back in the classroom, his students can expect to given homework tasks such as:
- NRL players are effective role models for young Australians. Do you agree? Why, why not?
- Write 300 words on the causes of Cameron Munster’s trip to rehab.
- Use the following vocabulary correctly in a sentence: Illicit, Integrity Commission, Suspension, Punishment, Cocaine, Leaked video, Scandal, Disrepute.
- Write a report on all of the NRL players who have been caught in possession of illicit drugs.
- One thing NRL players learn from History is that they never learn from History. Discuss.
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 