Grammy nominated rapper The Kid LAROI has returned a favour to the outback community he grew up in.
The 19-year-old singer-songwriter and proud Kamilaroi man has sponsored the inaugural South Broken Hill Football Club's Indigenous round guernsey.
The act of kindness comes from a place of appreciation as LAROI and his brother Austin (Auz the Kid) once played for the team when they were living in the city.
Speaking to ABC, the talented rapper said the collaboration was made possible through the generosity of his late uncle Phil Neal Senior and aunt Helen Neal, who used to take the pair to training and games.
"I'm so grateful to the commitment my aunty and uncle, as well as my nan and pop, for all they did for Austin and I during our time in Broken Hill," he said.
It was one of LAROI's family members who still resides in Broken Hill that reached out and within a couple of hours LAROI agreed to help out his former football team.
"I'm thrilled to be able to give back to the club with sponsorship of the Indigenous guernsey," LAROI said.
South Football Club board member and proud Wiradjuri man Phil Neal Junior's mother is the sister of The Kid LAROI's grandmother.
Mr Neal said he took a punt and thought he would see if the rapper was open to the idea, saying he wasn't surprised when he heard the rapper was interested in the collaboration.
"Knowing what he's like and what he does for people over in America," Mr Neal said.
"Within a matter of a couple of hours Mum had rung back and Charlton (LAROI) and Austin had both said yes to it."
The generosity of LAROI and his brother Austin left the players at the club excited to wear the guernsey on game day.
"A lot of the kids are pretty happy and will be stoked to wear this jersey on the weekend," Mr Neal said.
For Mr Neal, it will be an extra special moment with this being the first time the club has worn a culturally-inspired jumper.
"For a few years now all the other clubs have had their Indigenous guernseys … [and] South have never had one," Mr Neal said.
"I'm pretty happy that we've finally got one."
Club chairman Drew Mashford said it was an important occasion and a special moment for the club.
