Indigenous Advisor to the Brumbies Matthew Sonter is a Gomeroi man who looks after player welfare and has been a driving force behind the success of the Brumbies Indigenous Pathways Program.

The concept behind the Brumbies Indigenous Pathway Program came at a time when former Australian Rugby Sevens athlete Matthew Sonter was still playing the game and Brumbies hero Andy Muirhead was heavily immersed in schoolboy rugby. The pair first met when Sonter was coaching the Loyd McDermott rugby development team, and Muirhead was only fourteen years of age. They serendipitously struck a friendship that was forged on mentorship, respect and solidarity as First Nations players.

Over the years, Sonter and Muirhead would catch up at the end of every season and talk about what went well and what didn't. It was during one of these catch ups, the men realised that while their professional careers were fifteen years apart, First Nations players were still encountering the same obstacles to success.

The players were keen to bridge the gap for others, Sonter and Muirhead met with Craig Leseburg the Deputy CEO and General Manager of the Brumbies, and they got the ball rolling with initial conversations.

"We started talking about, what is it? Why were we able to succeed in the system and what made us different from the thousands of other players that are actually better than us," Sonter said.

The men determined that it was what was occurring outside of the game, having a supportive environment, access to basic needs such as accommodation and good nutrition had made the greatest difference and were a key to their success.

"The game has been fantastic to me and to Andy, and the thing that was highlighted, was that so many Aboriginal kids weren't getting these opportunities. It hasn't been an equal playing field."

Leseburg, who has been a prominent figure in Canberra rugby for twenty years, provided full support to the idea and as the concept of a Brumbies Indigenous Pathways Program came to fruition, and Sonter ensured the program looked after athletes once they arrived.

Athletes who come through the Indigenous pathways program currently receive a $10,000 grant and are invited to train with the Brumbies for a 6-week camp. During this period, the athletes have access to the Brumbies facilities and trainers, and their accommodation is paid for.

If the athletes then stay in Canberra, the Brumbies assist with transition and relocation needs. In addition, the program incorporates mentorship and cultural guidance from First Nations elders such as Jo Fleck and Wayne Merrit (pictured) who regularly attend games and camps with the athletes.

Although recruitment is about to commence via expression of interest, Sonter admits he also relies on the koori grapevine. When asked if he has an eye for talent, Sonter advised that although he is more involved with player wellness than talent scouting, he does remember seeing a young Tareq Parter (Indigenous Pathway Program/Brumbies Academy), as a fifteen-year-old. He had been watching Tareq play and saw his potential not only as an athlete, but as an Aboriginal man and role model.

At twenty years of age and with ambitions of becoming a teacher, Tareq was identified by Sonter as an ideal candidate for the George Gregan Scholarship, which covers tuition fees at the University of Canberra, enabling talented young rugby players to pursue their dreams in sport, whilst securing a future.

"My goal and the goal of the pathways program is to bring players in and to give them exposure to the great club, but to also have them walking away with not just rugby experiences, but have them walking away with experience and skills that make them young leaders," he said.

"Whether Tareq makes it in super rugby or not is irrelevant to me, but I would love to see it happen and if he keeps working hard, he will. But my main goal is that at the end of this time, is that he is a qualified teacher. He's made everyone a winner at this club, everyone here loves him. We want everyone to know who Tareq is, to know that he's a good person."

The Indigenous Pathways Program is looking to expand by creating opportunities for First Nations players to develop their careers within the club, whether it is in coaching, business development or graphic design.

Sonter said the club wants to see more First Nations employees, not just in identified roles but in all roles. He went on to explain that it is hard to get into professional sport, but once you are in, it's hard to get out. Expressing camaraderie, he adds that there is a role for everyone at the club.

"I have no doubt that in the next couple of years, that one of these players will actually take my role," he said.