At 23, Kyah Simon has already had an enviable career, travelled the world and marked her name in football's history books for being the first indigenous Australian to score a goal in a World Cup.
But after nine months on the sidelines following a devastating knee injury, the Matildas striker says her best days are still ahead of her.
"I've been working harder than I've ever worked in my life and I'm more than ready to come back," she said. "This time off has just reignited my passion for the game".
Simon is hoping to encourage that same motivation in indigenous children as part of her ambassador role in the Herald's Boots For Kids campaign.
"It was Cathy Freeman who inspired me when I was young, so being able to ignite that spark for other little girls and indigenous kids makes me really proud."
The quick-footed striker tore her anterior cruciate ligament during a friendly with the US in October last year. With only 12 weeks of recovery to go, Simon says she is "bursting at the seams".
That is good news for the Matildas, who go to Canada for the FIFA Women's World Cup in June next year. Simon, who is a strong contender for a spot in the cup squad, said representing her country again would be a huge honour, "but to be a role model for indigenous kids is something else".
And on Monday Football Federation Australia announced more good news for women's soccer: a grant of $536,000 for development for the next two years. The money, which the FFA described as a "turning point" for women's football in Australia, will be used to adopt a Japanese model of player development that encourages technical skill growth in young players.
Simon said a comfortable pair of boots was essential when playing any sport.
"It's not only about being able to move around quickly and comfortably," she said. "It's about the confidence you feel turning up to play soccer or footy with a new pair of kicks on your feet."
Readers can donate their children's boots, their own, or buy a pair and deposit the boots in bins at Coles supermarkets in NSW and Victoria. They will be collected by Linfox and, after being cleaned up and paired with some socks, trucked to the communities in need.
"That can make all the difference to these kids living in these small towns, who are often used to playing footy barefoot or in old joggers," Simon said.
She has amassed an impressive collection over the years, but said "nothing compares" to the first pair of boots she received for free, a gift from Matildas great Cheryl Salisbury.
"I'll never let go of that feeling. It was more than excitement, it made me feel special."
- Follow the Boots for kids campaign at smh.com.au/bootsforkids
- Tweet us your photos as your children donate their boots #bootsforkids
