The NRL will this weekend celebrate Indigenous Round as the Sharks travel to Newcastle to take on the Knights, with Fullback Ben Barba honouring the significance of his culture and ancestors gone before.
Born in Darwin and having played his junior football in Mackay, Barba is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island man.
"Culture to me is everything. It's who I am and what's been given to me by my elders," Barba said ahead of this weekend's fixtures.
"Playing in the NRL is a chance for me to represent my family and hopefully I'll make them proud. Rugby league brings our community together.
"We have an indigenous team made up of players from Mackay. We have a younger generation looking up and wanting to play in that team.
"Indigenous Round is very important. It's a chance for us to be recognised again."
