Born in Darwin and having played his junior football in Mackay, Cronulla Sharks fullback Ben Barba is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island man.
"Culture to me is everything. It's who I am and what's been given to me by my elders," Barba said ahead of Round 10 of the NRL Telstra Premiership, which is Indigenous Round.
"Playing in the NRL is a chance for me to represent my family and hopefully I'll make them proud."
The 26-year-old lists Brisbane Broncos legend Steve Renouf and former North Queensland Cowboys star Matt Bowen as his idols when growing up.
"Rugby league brings our community together," Barba said.
"We have an indigenous team made up of players from Mackay. We have a younger generation looking up and wanting to play in that team.
"Indigenous Round is very important. It's a chance for us to be recognised again."