Char'lea's brush with fame

A passionate young artist from Clontarf Beach State High School has been putting her mark on a pair of football boots which one NRL player will wear on the field later this year.

Year 9 student Char’lea Williams has started her design and will spend the school holidays finishing the boots before they are given to Brisbane Broncos hooker Tyson Smoothy who will wear them during the NRL Indigenous Round.

The NRL Indigenous Round aims to highlight significant social issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and celebrate the unique relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and rugby league.

As a Broncos supporter, Char’lea said she was working hard to ensure the boots look good in the game.

“They are not done yet, but I still need to add some more things to the boots like tracks and put a design on there that recognises my nan,” Char’lea said.

“It has been hard to paint on the boots. It took me a lot of layers to get the orange on.”

With art being one of her favourite subjects at school, Char’lea said she loves how painting “can take you away from reality”.

Broncos supporting young women

Clontarf Beach State High School is part of the Beyond The Broncos Girls Academy which values the vital role that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women play in influencing the next generation.

The Girls Academy program provides mentoring and support from Years 7 – 12 and into young adulthood to help these young leaders succeed.

As outlined on the Brisbane Broncos website, the features of the program include:

• In-school mentoring and support from school-based Brisbane Broncos support staff
• Semester challenges and rewards for attendance and behaviour
• Group presentations on topics including culture, lifestyle and careers
• Support in completing Year 12 and developing career pathway plans
• Exclusive access to Brisbane Broncos staff, players, facilities and events

The program is delivered to more than 1300 female students across 34 participating schools in Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Lyn Schloss (pictured above with Char’lea on the right) is employed by the Broncos and works at Clontarf Beach State High School three days a week as a student support officer to oversee the program.

“This is a mentoring program that focuses on their attendance and academic results,” Lyn said.

“The Broncos believe by engaging with girls it gives them a better chance for their future. We are all about supporting these young girls and their careers and future pathways.”

Lyn has been working closely with Char’lea and is looking forward to presenting the boots to Tyson when they are completed.