‘He’s a really special guy’: Watson receives high praise for his incredible community work

Some of the biggest names in rugby league will play in specially designed boots in Indigenous Round thanks to the incredible work of Connor Watson.

Connor Watson is making a huge difference in the community, with players from across the NRL set to support his foundation by wearing specially designed boots in Indigenous Round. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

Connor Watson says he’s “spewing” he doesn’t get to play in Indigenous Round this year – but that disappointment turns into a massive smile when he gets the chance to talk about the incredible work he’s been able to do on and off the field.

While the Roosters utility won’t play on Friday night, his community work will be there for everyone to see, with some of the biggest names in rugby league set to wear specially designed boots which are making a huge difference across the country.

The Boots for a Brighter Future program is one of the most important initiatives in rugby league, with Watson and his family starting the Cultural Choice Association after his cousin, Parker, took his own life.

Connor Watson is making a difference with his Boots for a Brighter Future initiative. Picture; Supplied

Youth suicide is a major issue in Indigenous communities across the nation, which is why Watson is doing something he hopes can raise awareness and make a change.

It has led to the incredible boots initiative which will see players like Payne Haas, Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans run out in some incredible designs, which fans can bid on after the games.

“We’re aiming to improve mental health outcomes for younger Indigenous kids through art,” Watson said.

“What we do is we get NRL players to donate boots and then we take those boots out to different community groups where we run mental resilience and mental health workshops.

“We get Elders in to teach them cultural stuff as well, and then the program ends with the kids expressing themselves through art on the players’ boots, where the guys then wear them in Indigenous Round.

“After the boots are worn, we auction them off and the proceeds then go back into the association so we can continue to go back into the community and run more programs.”

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves received his boots on Monday when the Roosters hosted students from the Entrance High School. Picture: Supplied

Members of the Kirinari Hostel in Newcastle designed five pairs of boots for the Bulldogs and three for the Sea Eagles, while students from the Entrance High School had lunch and presented Roosters players with their boots on Monday.

Watson won the 2020 Ken Stephen Medal for his work in the community, which has ramped up this year while he’s been out injured.

That included a visit to Bamaga in North Queensland, where he spent time with students at Northern Peninsula Area State School, which is the northernmost school in Australia.

“I was fortunate enough to take eight pairs of Storm player boots up to the tip of Australia,” Watson said ahead of Indigenous Round, which will feature cultural dances and ceremonies before games, while stadiums will use their traditional custodian land names.

“I went up there and ran the mental resilience program in the morning, and then we spent the rest of the day prepping the boots and painting the boots,” he said.

“They were finished about 10 days later and then they sent them back down on the freight, which was pretty cool.

“The kids were all Broncos fans, but they were excited to get Roosters jerseys and training gear. I’m just glad we were able to spark conversations which can hopefully make a difference.”

It all started when former Knights teammate Aidan Guerra asked if he could get a pair of painted boots, and it’s grown to the point where 43 players will run out in Indigenous Round wearing shoes designed by students and Indigenous artists.

These are the boots which Broncos star Payne Haas will wear in Indigenous Round. Picture: Supplied

“He’s a really special guy,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.

“He’s really clear about what he values and his role in supporting the Indigenous community and his history. He’s a good man, and he’s doing some really good work.”

That work could extend to the footy field in the coming weeks, as Watson continues to recover from a shocking patella injury in the pre-season which saw him spend nearly two months in a wheelchair.

“No later than Round 20,” he replied when asked when he’d be back.

“I don’t really have a definite date, but the plan is to start jogging next week and then we’ll work towards a six-eight week running block.

“It was just at training. I went to step and my foot got stuck and I did the limbo on one leg, so all the pressure went on my knee and it popped.

“I did seven weeks in the wheelchair because I had to keep my leg straight. I then had to learn how to crutch properly with a straight leg. It was a tough period, but I’m now moving around, so I’ve nearly forgotten about it.”

Originally published as ‘He’s a really special guy’: Watson receives high praise for his incredible community work