'Blues' boots delivered to juniors at bushfire-affected clubs

Blues captain Boyd Cordner has backed a $250,000 goodwill gesture by the NSWRL to deliver free football to junior players on the NSW South Coast from areas effected by last summer's bushfires.

Former Blues great Paul Sironen joined NSWRL CEO David Trodden at Sussex Inlet on Thursday to launch the partnership with Score Zone, which is part of a wider relief package to help regional clubs in need after the devastation of the fires.

The exclusive "Blues" boots will be delivered to players under the age of 12.

"It's a great initiative from NSWRL to bring in the 'Blues Boots' and hand them out to communities that have done it really tough in 2020," Cordner said.

"It's going to help out our little Blues brothers and sisters and if I was a little kid coming in knowing I was going to get a pair of boots I'd be pretty chuffed."

Competitions resumed across the state on July 18 after being suspended over the COVID-19 pandemic and Trodden said it had been a tough season, particularly for clubs and communities still coping with the effects of the bushfires.

"The NSWRL wanted to help out wherever we could and I'd like to thank Score Zone for supplying the new range of blue football boots so we can get kids back on the field playing footy," Trodden said.

Score Zone managing director Greg Parker, who along with CEO Pat Molihan previously covered league for the Seven Network, said the boots included a unique 'red dot' design which teaches junior players the correct way to kick a ball.

"Boys and girls in all codes need to know how to get the basics right – right from the start – and Score Zone helps them from their first kick," said Parker.

"Having spent so much time with the Blues it was the perfect way to launch Score Zone boots which are for all boys and girls and all codes."