LUKE’S BOOTS FOR THE OUTBACK

The smiles say it all

Year 9 student, Luke Cotellessa (9.3) started the Boots for the Outback initiative more than seven years ago after watching a video on social media of some young kids playing footy in the state’s north. What really stood out to Luke though, was not just the fact these kids demonstrated some incredible footy skills, but they were doing so shoeless on the harsh terrain. Luke decided he wanted to give these kids the same opportunities as him and came up with the idea to put the call out to family and friends to donate some footy boots for them. The campaign grew quickly and within months Luke and his family set off on a road trip to the Pia Wadjari community in the Shire of Murchison to deliver the boots and other football items.

Fast forward to 2021 and Luke has now collected and donated more than 6000 pre-loved sporting items to children living in remote communities of Western Australia with Luke and his family personally delivering many of these items to the MidWest, Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley regions. It was during one of these trips that Luke met Rory Charles (12.2) when one of Luke’s collections arrived at a community approximately 80 kilometres out of Derby named Pandanus Park. Since Luke’s visit, Rory and Luke have worked together many times with Rory being one of Luke’s biggest supporters. This year a collection box was set up outside the Indigenous Education Office for the Trinity community to donate their pre-loved boots, shorts, singlets, and footballs. It was not long before the box was overflowing with generous donations including a handpainted pair of footy boots from Rory. Well done to Luke for his continuous commitment to this initiative – not only a true example of TC Spirit but one that highlights to never be afraid of sharing your ideas, as sometimes all it takes is one to truly make a difference.

Luke, aged 9 on one of his first visits to a regional WA community This year’s Trinity collection box overflowing with donated boots Painted boots by Rory Charles