NRLW star Murphy works to support Indigenous youth

Mahalia Murphy may not be a household name in sport yet, but the NRLW Indigenous player is a star to many children she helps.

Murphy, who plays for the Parramatta Eels, juggles her role as a rugby league player with that of an Aboriginal Consultant in Child Protection Services.

“Growing up as an Aboriginal girl I didn’t have the support from a community point of view,” Murphy said on NRL.com ahead of this weekend’s NRL’s Indigenous Round.

“I didn’t have anyone in community that helped me and my family along the way.

“My mum moved from Walgett to Sydney to give us kids the opportunity to thrive down here but we always had to go home to feel connected to our people.

“In child protection due to the history of the Stolen Generation and the impacts that’s had on Aboriginal people, for families to have someone they can trust and that can guide the case workers how to best work with families, gives them the best support that they need.”

Murphy said when the worked in her community she often heard of stories of children and parents begin help.

“I decided I needed to get into the space where I can actually work in homes, I can talk to schools, I can talk to the services that are involved with families,” she said.

The Kamilaroi woman and Jillaroo made her international debut in 2015 will captain the Eels in there final game off the round on Sunday when they face the North Queensland Cowboys.