Deadly football boots designed by First Nations students from Logan, will be worn proudly by Broncos stars, as they take to the field for the 2023 Indigenous Round this Thursday.
Bronco Ezra Mam’s two nephews DJ Mam-Blewonski and Phillip Banu designed the boots for their uncle, which paint a picture of the player’s heritage, an illustration of where his family come from and the people who inspired and shaped his successful NRL career.
Ezra, alongside many of his teammates, will be kicking goals in their individually painted boots, taking to the field at Suncorp Stadium for Indigenous Round this Thursday.
Combining creativity with culture, Ezra’s nephews from Mabel Park State High School, created a design that pays homage to the player’s upbringing.
Fellow students, Storm Nicholls and Makaylah Fing then painted the design onto the boots.
“The opportunity to paint Ezra’s boots means that I get to experience the culture that I am, and I get to paint the stories of our land and the stories of our people throughout the past years,” DJ Mam said.
After weeks spent researching, sketching and designing, the students worked tirelessly to reflect Ezra’s own stories of culture and passion, both on and off the field, using symbolism to tell their story.
“The sea turtle is what Torres Strait Islander people hunt and we used their shell as the design and followed them in a riverway towards the sea,” DJ said.
“In our culture we use the back of the stingray’s tails as a sharp weapon when we go hunting.
“It’s actually going to be great to see one of my artworks being used and that it’s my uncle who gets to wear them at Indigenous round. My family are excited and happy that I was able to design one of the family members boots.”
Reflecting on the family ties to the boots, Ezra said the boots are memorable and a special connection to his family, people and the sport he loves.
“I’m very proud of the artwork they did and hopefully all the boys love their boots as well,” he said.
“I’m very grateful to my nephews for putting an art piece together for school and I’ll be happy to run out in them this week.”
Forming part of the Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy, painting the boots gives local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a chance to connect with Country and their culture, while learning about another’s story.
Woodridge State High School student, Georgina Dargin, also had the chance to paint league legend Kotoni Staggs’ boots, drawing inspiration from the connection and unity between First Nations people.
“It’s pretty exciting to be able to paint Kotoni’s boots given he’s a very influential Indigenous player,” Georgina said.
“I think art is incredibly important as it’s how we tell stories, and it’s how we give information to our future generations.”
Staggs said Georgina’s work was outstanding and he’s proud to wear the boots come game day.
“It brings back all the memories from where I’m from back in NSW in the small town of Wellington and I can’t wait to go out and run around in the boots and make my family proud,” he said.
In its third year, students from across Queensland and northern New South Wales participated in the painting as part of the Beyond the Broncos programs, which helps to improve school attendance rates and academic participation for Indigenous students.
Many of the players will wear the boots on Thursday, 18 May for Indigenous Round while others will keep as a special keepsake from the round.
