Much bigger than football: Changing lives one boot at a time

Indigenous Round is about much more than the special jerseys players wear each year.

For a group of Indigenous students involved in the NRL's School to Work (S2W) program, it's an opportunity to see their artwork showcased on the biggest stage in rugby league, with specially designed boots set to be worn by NRL and NRLW stars from the Dragons, Panthers, Wests Tigers and Sharks this weekend.

The Dragons have proudly supported the School to Work program for more than 11 years, continuing to strengthen connections between the club, Indigenous communities and young people through initiatives like the boot designs.

St George Illawarra forward Josh Kerr received his custom-painted boots after training on Thursday in a moment he'll never forget.

The proud Quandamooka man admitted he was blown away by the detail that had gone into the artwork. 

"Every year they've done an incredible job, but this is really special," Kerr told NRL.com.

"I can't believe how much detail and effort has gone into them.

"I'm so lucky, fortunate and privileged to have someone want to do something like this for me.

"My little boy just turned one yesterday, so it's pretty cool that one day he'll know his dad got to experience something like this."

While the boots are a special keepsake for the players, Kerr believes the real impact is what the program gives the students involved.

"The Dragons do a really special job with what they do," he said.

"Ever since I was a junior here, they've always wanted to lead the way, and it's pretty cool to see how it's grown.

"It's giving these kids opportunities they might not have had otherwise.

"If they change one kid's life, and that kid grows up with good values and has a family of their own... well, how good is that?"

Helping bring the project to life this year is NRL School to Work Regional Project Officer Ani Ta'Ase, who connected Dragons players with students from Albion Park High School and Peel High School in Tamworth.

Watching the students discover their artwork would be worn on the NRL stage was a moment they'll never forget.

"They're full of excitement," Ta'Ase said.

"They draft their pictures first, make sure they have the right paints and they're pumped from the moment they find out.

"It's amazing to see some of the students come through and present the boots to the players."

Albion Park High School student Takysha Patterson had the opportunity to present the boots she designed to Dragons NRLW centre Shenae Ciesiolka.

The Year 11 student designed her boots using traditional dot painting.

"I'm quite happy with how my boots turned out and being able to give them to the players,” Patterson said.

"Hopefully I'll get to see them on TV when they wear them, which is pretty cool."

Dragons NRLW fullback Montaya Hudson said the initiative continues to shine a light on the incredible talent within Indigenous communities while giving young people a platform to share their culture.

“It's really special to have a club that cares about our young people in the community, Hudson said

"Having those young Indigenous artists and those young minds come to light and being able to do that with the clubs we have in the NRL is really special."

This weekend, the boots will be worn by some of rugby league's biggest stars.

But for the students who designed them, they'll represent something much bigger than football.

An opportunity to share their culture, creativity and stories on one of the game's biggest stages.