Ahead of Melbourne Storm’s NAIDOC Celebration match in Round 17, seven students from the NRL’s School to Work Program visited Storm HQ to paint player boots as part of the celebrations.
Melbourne Storm’s First Nations players along with the leadership group were fortunate enough to have their boots painted by the students to tell that player’s specific and unique story, outlining their journey to get to this point in their career.
In the lead up to the day, Nanjera Pender, Marni Briggs, Emerald Wood, Ruby-Lee Brolly, Kaiaan Thorpe, Jedah-Lee Wickey and James Aitken were given the name of each player who’s boots they would be painting to research that specific player and their journey and were then giving the task of bringing it to life through their own culture on each player’s boots.
The students, from Thornbury High School and Hallam Senior College presented the players with their unique set of painted boots which they wore during Storm’s clash with the Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park. The students also had the opportunity on the evening to be part of the guard of honour on the field ahead of the match-up as the Storm side entered the arena, wearing their special boots.
The NRL School to Work Program which encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete High School and supports their transition into further education and career pathways.
NAIDOC Week (Sunday 7 July – 14 July) celebrates and recognises the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2024 theme is "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’.
