Yes, Kezie Apps is a star for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRLW competition, but the proud Bega product is also passionate about spreading the word about rugby league throughout the Dragons’ community. So much so, she was eager to be involved in a new initiative designed to give back to grassroots footy.

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St George Bank has brought together the Dragons, Queensland Reds and GWS GIANTS to launch the inaugural St George Footy Grants program. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to the people and clubs helping to make grassroots footy stronger. Applications for the program are now open at stgeorgefootygrants.com.au

As Kezie explains to Dead In Goal, her community ambassadorial role takes her far and wide across Dragons territory. She is often encouraged by the awareness of many fans out there, especially when it comes to women’s rugby league.

“I’ve been part of the Dragons club for a number of years now; I was an ambassador for them before the women’s side of things took off. I would go into schools as part of being an ambassador and not many kids knew much about women’s rugby league,” the Aussie Jillaroos and NSW Blues State of Origin representative says in this week’s interview.

Kezie Apps and James Graham are throwing their support behind the St George Footy Grants program.

“But then fast forward to once we had our Dragons women’s team set up, you can now use that when you go into schools. You’ll ask, ‘Did anyone watch the women play in the first-ever NRLW games on TV?’

“You’d be surprised at how many kids are putting their hands up after recognising who you are. Which is fantastic; the growth of the women’s game has just skyrocketed. It’s so good to see, not just in rugby league, but in other codes, too. The women’s space is – slowly - catching up to the men’s space. It’s all really exciting.”