After three seasons of serving as a coach on reality television show School of Hard Knocks, All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan says he has learned a valuable lesson thanks to the at-risk kids he mentors.
"It's been a real growth for me," the former Blues coach told TVNZ1’s Breakfast today. "I guess I had judged, and do judge, people subconsciously. What that has made me do after three series is just don’t judge — just try to understand their background.
"The great thing is that most of these young people are really keen to turn their lives around, and they have some incredible challenges. (They’re) pretty courageous."
The series, which airs at 8.30 Wednesday evenings on TVNZ DUKE, follows Sir John as he puts the young athletes through intense rugby training, and an intense self-improvement regimen off the paddock.
He was joined on Breakfast today by Diaz Gillies, the youngest athlete on the team who Sir John lauded for his "big heart".
"They often don’t see the greatness in them that often we can see coming from the outside," Sir John explained.
"So often there’s a lot of negativity in their lives ... What we’re hoping is that the course just gives them the confidence to really keep growing that inner confidence so they can go out and attack the world.
"It’s challenging and rewarding all at the same time."
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