She's one of the biggest stars in women's rugby league, and Millie Elliott puts her strength to good use.
With no rugby league commitments until May, the NSW Foundation and Sydney Roosters have organized a tour of regional NSW where they will promote inclusivity among people who need connection most.
The Game Changers program, run by Elliott's nonprofit The Trainer Group Foundation, will take two-hour sessions in small towns to help promote teamwork and communication with people with disabilities and accessibility requirements.
It's a cause close to her heart.
Elliot's younger sister, Hannah, has Down Syndrome, while her new brother-in-law, James, has autism.
The 25-year-old recently married Newcastle striker Adam Elliott and has since changed her surname from Boyle.
The comprehensive Game Changers program will visit nine cities starting in Bega on 5 February, and ending in Tweed Heads on 23 February.
She will be joined by fellow NSW Origin stars Kezie Apps, Emma Tonegato, Keeley Davis and Olivia Kernick to deliver programs aimed at school-aged children and adults who have recently left school and are missing a sense of community and fun.
“It's very special,” Elliott says.
Westpac, which was announced last week as the NSW Women's State of Origin jersey sponsor, is helping to deliver the programs alongside the NSWRL.
“It's something I've been working on for a little while and it's something that's very close to my heart and I'm very excited about it,” Elliott continues.
“It's my passion off the field and with my younger sister Hannah and brother-in-law James both growing up in a regional rural area, providing them with the opportunity to be part of a team and part of something is something that probably hasn't existed before.” I did it before in those areas.
“For Westpac to come on board, they are really investing in those programs that really want to make a difference not only in women's football but also in the players to help them make a difference off the field.
“I'll be doing it with the NSW Sky Blues girls who all have a background working in the community and are some of my best friends too which is really exciting.”
All five NSW Sky Blues stars are also from rural areas and have particular experience working with the community.
The program will also visit Bateman Bay, Lake Illawarra, Wagga Wagga, Orange, Dubbo, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.
It's a heartwarming way to end the women's rugby league season, which will be played across the states in 2024.
The Queensland BMD premiership begins on March 2, while the NSW state competition will be held in conjunction with the NRLW, which begins in July.
For more information visit https://trainergroupfoundation.org/nsw-blues-regional-tour/.
Originally published as Millie Elliott will take her Game Changers program into the bush with her NSW Origin teammates
