Through the NRL’s School to Work program, Keira Bonney was able to realise her lifelong dream of becoming a Cronulla Sharks Mermaid.
Making her debut this season, the 18-year-old hasn’t been able to stop smiling.
“At four years old, I came to my first Sharks game. It was a Father's Day match. My family have always been massive Cronulla Sharks supporters, but from that moment on, when I watched those girls in their beautiful costumes and glamorous make-up, I knew that that's what I wanted to do.” Bonney said.
And Keira would echo those sentiments whenever she was asked what she wanted to do after school. Her mum, Jo, couldn’t be prouder.
“I’m just happy to see her living her dream. It’s very surreal to see her doing it, and she’s got a beautiful light, and it’s nice to see it being shared, but yeah, very proud,” Mrs Bonney said.
NRL School to Work Project Officer, Uncle Ani Ta’ase, works with Indigenous First Nations kids in the Illawarra region.
He connected Keira with the Sharks, who was invited to watch the Mermaid’s train, and then eventually got to try out for the team.
“If anyone’s looking for work or career inspiration, we direct them through the NRL pathways and connect them to clubs, businesses and sponsors. It’s about giving back to the community and kids,” Ta’ase said.
“The NRL's School to Work program was amazing, and having Uncle Ani as my mentor was incredible because we would discuss my dreams and pathways and how to get there,” Bonney said.
Keira’s mob are the Anaiwan people, and now she wants to be a role model and give back to the next generation.
But first, she’s settling in nicely to the Mermaid team.
“All the girls are just absolutely incredible. Like the team culture is second to none, and what Rob (Robyn Parras - Mermaids Director) has created is just amazing.
“She’s our Mermaid mum, and the whole team is a sisterhood,” Bonney said.
“I want to do this for as long as I can until I’m like 99 years old. I want to be a Mermaid forever.”
You can catch the Mermaids in action at the Sharks next home game against the Knights at Ocean Protect Stadium on the 17th of July.
