Kicking goals for remote indigenous community

A 10-year-old Caloundra boy who believes kicking around a footy with mates is a rite of passage, is ensuring other youngsters can enjoy the same privileges as him.

Caloundra Sharks Rugby League player Bailen Noy is collecting second hand football boots to donate to the indigenous community of Doomadgee in April 2020. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

A 10-YEAR-OLD Caloundra boy who believes kicking around a footy with mates is a rite of passage is ensuring other youngsters can enjoy the same privileges as him.

Talara Primary College Year 6 student and vice-captain, Bailen Noy, is in the final weeks of his Boots En Route charity mission.

Coined by the 10-year-old, Boots En Route is a charity program dedicated to donating new and used footy boots to the kids of indigenous shire Doomadgee, in Queensland's north-west.

With the help of his school, his rugby league club Caloundra Sharks, Caloundra City Realty and other businesses, Bailen has been collecting football shoes as his way of giving back to the sport that has taught him so many skills.

His mum Nicole Noy said the response so far had been "nothing short of amazing" with more than 300 pairs collected since kicking off the mission in September.

"We've pushed it through the school, oztag community, rugby league community, my work and my husband's work, and so many people have offered to help out," Mrs Noy said.

"We've even had football clubs from Bundaberg and Brisbane contact us to get on board."

Hours away from neighbouring cities, indigenous community Doomadgee's isolation means children in the township struggle to get a hold of items most would take for granted, including football shoes.

It is this sad reality that inspired Bailen.

"He wanted to do something for the sport that he loves and giving back to the kids that are less fortunate was that something," Mrs Noy said.

A member of the Sharks for seven years, Bailen grew a love for the sport that he hoped would span to an NRL career in future.

"It's been my passion," he said.

"They've inspired me with footy, they've tried to make me the best person I can be in footy and help other kids when they need our help.

"I wanted to give back because (communities like Doomadgee) don't have the great opportunities like we do on the Sunny Coast."

With just more than three weeks to go, Mrs Noy said they're expecting a couple more pairs from the Senior State Cup for Queensland Oz Tag titles this weekend.

"They have teams from as far north as Townsville coming down and as far south as the Tweed," she said.

"It went off at junior state cup, so hopefully this will bring in some more and get a few more pairs together."

Boots En Route's mission has spread across various regions in Australia including the Northern Territory to Dalby.

If you'd like to donate, visit Boots En Route's Facebook page.