And judging by the reaction, they well and truly found them.
Highlanders players Adam Thomson, Kurt Baker, Nick Crosswell and Kendrick Lynn flew by helicopter to four primary schools in the High- landers region: Heriot, Tapanui, Riversdale and Clutha Valley.
For Lynn, it was a rough introduction for his first ride in a helicopter, as a southerly front presented its credentials.
The Highlanders wanted to go out to areas in their region which are not always accessible, and Helicopters Otago provided the means to get the players off the beaten track.
Every school pupil was presented with a "take a kid to footy pack", with more than 400 packs given away.
The packs include a ticket for tonight's Highlanders game against the Cheetahs and also food and drink, which was sponsored by the Otago Daily Times.
Heriot School principal Margaret Box said the schoolchildren were absolutely ecstatic about the visit.
Despite the rain and wind, the pupils rushed out to see the helicopter and players, and there was sure to be a big Heriot contingent at Carisbrook tonight.
Players asked questions and then answered questions about the ins and outs of professional rugby.
Commercial manager Mike Kerr said the helicopter visit was a way to get out across the region.
This year, the side had a camp in Wanaka in January and played pre-season games in Oamaru and Balclutha, and had two competition games in Invercargill.
