Indigenous kids across several communities in southern Queensland will be the new owners of pre-loved football boots, thanks to a group of dedicated and charitable students from Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College.
Holly Ormsby, Jen Fong, Isabelle Stephenson, Astrid Lalor and Charlotte Ng dropped by the SCG recently to collect a box of used footy boots as part of a student-run drive to service disadvantaged indigenous communities.
The initiative involves the students collecting boots from local sporting clubs, cleaning them, packaging them up and donating them to the regional centres of Dalby, Cunnamulla, Inala and Cherbourg.
For many of the recipients in the AFL-loving townships, it will be the first pair of boots they will own.
“The initiative started quite a few years ago and we’re continuing it on,” Jen said.
“We’ll be collecting the boots from our local community and around Sydney, like the Sydney Swans, and whoever would like to donate, cleaning them out and making them usable again.
“We recognise that footy is a big thing in these communities and by providing kids with boots lets them play the game they love and, in a way, unite the community.”
With help from Aunty Julie Smith, the students reached out to Dr Noel Hayman and Sr Nola White from Inala Indigenous Health Service who then selected the destination.
“Aunty Julie has been instrumental in this whole process and we’re so appreciative of Dr Hayman and Sr Nola’s help,” Jen said.
“Through them we were able to provide boots to those communities who need them most.
“Many kids don’t get the opportunity to play because of a lack of equipment – that’s where we come in.”
The Sydney Swans were on top of Holly’s list after she became a member for the first time in 2017.
Holly and her family were in the stands for this year’s Marngrook at the SCG and Pride Game.
“They were really great games to be a part of as we saw first-hand the awareness these matches can raise about certain issues,” Holly said.
After the Sydney Swans, the students hope to take their drive all over Sydney. Last the year’s efforts saw 106 football boots cleaned, packed and sent north. This year, the girls are aiming much higher: “We hope to send up around 150 or 160, but we’re not putting a cap on it.”
If you or your sporting club would like to donate to the cause, email haormsby18@student.monte.nsw.edu.au
Luke Parker and Kieren Jack joins Jen Fong, Astrid Lalor, Isabelle Stephenson and Holly Ormsby in supporting the footy boot drive.
