Brisbane Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo inspires next generation of Indigenous footballers
Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo was mobbed by young fans in Cherbourg as he revealed a new jersey for the NRL’s Indigenous Round
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Queensland rugby league player Selwyn Cobbo is inspiring a new generation of Indigenous* footballers.
The Brisbane Broncos winger* returned home to his Cherbourg community 265km north of the Queensland capital to show off the Broncos’ new Indigenous jersey – but Cobbo was quickly surrounded* by excited kids and proved more popular than the jersey.
Cobbo’s grandfather boasted* that every kid in the district had a football and wanted to play rugby league after watching Cobbo’s success with the Broncos.
Former rugby great Johnathan Thurston, who was filming Cobbo for a television special as he visited a schools carnival in Wondai and then Cherbourg, said Cobbo was a hero to many youngsters.
“When we arrived you couldn’t even see (Cobbo) because there was so many people around him – he was very patient and is so well respected,’’ Thurston said.
“He said no matter what is going on in his life, there is a little bridge he crosses to get into Cherbourg and the weight of the world falls off his shoulders when he crosses it and he can just be himself.
“He walks around barefoot when he gets home and goes bush in the truck. It is really good for his mental health.’’
Cobbo was joined by fellow Bronco Ezra Mam for the trip ahead of the National Rugby League’s Indigenous Round.
Cobbo said he was honoured* to show off the jersey artwork he worked on with Indigenous teammates and artist Casey Coolwell-Fisher.
“It’s a proud moment for me,” Cobbo said. “From where I come from as well, they’re big footy fans up here, they love their footy. It’s pretty special for me and the communities as well, being able to put on the Indigenous jersey and being able to represent who I am and where I come from.
“It puts a smile on my face every time I come up here and see the little kids. I guess I’m their hero. Seeing the kids driving around, they were all happy and it puts a smile to my face.
“Growing up, I idolised* (former South Sydney Rabbitoh) Greg Inglis. The way he played on the field and also how he carried himself off the field, he’s done a lot for his mob* and that’s something I want to do.”
GLOSSARY
- Indigenous: relating to Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders
- winger: a rugby league playing position
- surrounded: to form a circle around
- boasted: to brag or talk about someone with great pride
- honoured: to feel proud or important
- idolised: to love or admire someone
- mob: a group of Aboriginal people associated with an extended family group, clan group or wider community group
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QUICK QUIZ
- Where is Cobbo’s home community of Cherbourg located?
- What item did Cobbo help design?
- What event will the Broncos players wear the jersey for?
- Who is Casey Coolwell-Fisher?
- Which former rugby great did Cobbo idolise?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Bridge of life
Selwyn Cobbo said when he crosses a little bridge to get back to his hometown, all his worries disappear and the weight comes off his shoulders.
Think about the place in your life that makes you feel like that. It could be your home or another special place that makes you feel calm, safe and happy.
Draw yourself in your everyday life (school, sport etc.) and then a bridge crossing into your special place.
Show a friend and see if they can guess where this place is and why it’s your special place.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Visual Arts; Personal and Social; Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
How is Selwyn Cobbo inspiring a new generation of indigenous footballers?
Does he take this lightly and what do you think he wants to do for the younger generation?
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Personal and Social; Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
1. BAB it!
Show you have read and understood the article by writing three sentences using the connectives “because’’, “and”, and “but” (BAB). Your sentences can share different facts or opinions, or the same ones but written about in different ways.