The NSWRL is thrilled to announce a partnership with Score Zone that will see free football boots worth $250,000 donated to junior players aged 12 and under from clubs and towns across the NSW South Coast that were affected by the bushfires last summer.
True Blues Paul Sironen and Shaun Timmins, NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden, and Score Zone Chief Executive Patrick Molihan and Managing Director Greg Parker will take part in a trip that will see boots handed out at Sussex Inlet and Moruya today (6 August) and Nowra tomorrow (7 August).
NSWRL and Score Zone partner up for boots donation
The goodwill gesture is part of a wider relief package devised by the NSWRL in February to assist regional Rugby League Clubs affected by the bushfires and comes after competitions resumed across the state on 18 July after being suspended over the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This has been a tough season for everyone and particularly for the communities and local clubs across NSW that are still coping with the effects of the bushfires,” said Trodden.
“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.
“I hope they enjoy wearing them as much as we have in handing them out and I wish them all the very best for the rest of the season.”
Score Zone Managing Director Greg Parker, who along with Molihan boast long and distinguished careers in Rugby League having covered it 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.
“What the NSWRL is doing for youngsters in those areas affected by the bushfires on the South Coast is something we are proud to be a partner in with the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues.”
Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues captain Boyd Cordner said giving away free boots to communities in need was a great idea.
“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,” said Cordner.
“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.”
The other initiatives the NSWRL announced in February to assist communities and local clubs affected by the bushfires include:
- funding insurance premiums for affected clubs;
- supply all football requirements for affected clubs in conjunction with Steeden
