Former rugby league stars to join Royce Simmons on second Big Walk

A host of former rugby league stars will join Royce Simmons on his second annual big walk from Dubbo to Bathurst.

The walk, which raises money for dementia research, will return in 2023 after its first edition last year which followed Simmons' diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease.

The walk finishes at Carrington Park, when the Penrith Panthers host the Wests Tigers in Bathurst on April 29. It sets out from Dubbo on April 18, and will cover 313 kilometres over 12 days of walking.

New South Wales coach Brad Fittler will headline the list of former stars on the walk, while the likes of Garry Jack, Terry Lamb, Paul Sironen, Les Davidson, John Skandalis and Chris Lawrence will join Simmons for segments of the walk.

All up, 23 former rugby league personalities will spend a day of the walk with Simmons, while it will also take in a number of local community events.

Most days will see between 25 and 30 kilometres of walking, however, Day 4 from Baldry to Parkes, when he will be joined by Paul Clarke, Paul Sironen and Ronnie Palmer will see almost 50 kilometres covered.

The now 62-year-old played 238 games for the Penrith Panthers during a career which spanned from 1980 to 1991. Playing in two grand finals for his beloved club, he would represent New South Wales on ten occasions, and also play ten Tests for Australia.

He would move into coaching shortly after hanging up the boots, spending two sints in England at Hull FC and St Helens on either side of an eight-year tenure at the Panthers, where he coached 187 games.

Royce Simmons' Big Walk

For more information on Royce's big walk, you can visit the website, or donate to dementia research directly.