RUGBY LEAGUE
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One of the NRL's most vocal Indigenous players believes the recent Adam Goodes saga is a timely reminder for Australia to reconnect with its Aboriginal heritage.
George Rose has used his rugby league profile over the years to give back to the Aboriginal community, becoming involved in numerous organisations, foundations and NRL-led campaigns.
He has represented the Indigenous All Stars team every year since the concept was introduced in 2010.
Rose has worked tirelessly to educate people on his heritage but he's afraid the past two weeks has knocked the process back a step.
AFL champion Goodes chose to take personal leave from the Sydney Swans last week as the result of ongoing jeers from opposition fans during games.
In 2013 Goodes called out a teenage girl for calling him an ape during a game in Melbourne, and Collingwood president Eddie McGuire came under fire for linking the Swans star to King Kong later that year.
The Australian sporting public has been divided over whether the constant booing of Goodes has racist undertones about it.
"I think it's probably a good time for everyone to re-educate themselves on this beautiful culture," Rose said. "It's a part of Australian culture so I think it's something we should all be proud of.
"I think sport is a great way for us to share our culture.
"You see it in all different countries, and here in Australia particularly the indigenous people are very proud and happy to share it with everyone else."
Rose has been on the receiving end of racial abuse most of his life, both in sport and away from the field.
But he says the NRL deals with racism better than a lot of other organisations around the country.
He also believes Goodes reacted to the recent abuse in the same way most people would.
"What he did in standing up for himself, sharing that Aboriginal culture is something that I'm very proud of as a person and as a player," Rose said.
"His stance against racism is something that is sending a message to Australia, and to young kids in particular, that you don't have to put up with racism."
Fellow Dragons player Joel Thompson has shared Rose's passion about further educating the broader Australian public on his indigenous heritage.
But he says the Goodes saga should have been resolved by now, and is disappointed racial abuse in sport is still a topic in 2015.
"I guess it's been spoken about a fair bit and maybe it's been dragged out ... it's snowballed," Thompson said. "I think everyone just needs to learn from what's happened and hopefully learn in a positive way."
The NRL will celebrate Indigenous Round this weekend in recognition of the game's Aboriginal ties. The Dragons, however, confirmed they won't be wearing a special strip in their away game against the New Zealand Warriors.