When Matthew Hayden arrived at a remote indigenous school on the Tiwi Islands to find a sea of T-shirts reading `we love hay dos' the cricketing legend was overcome with embarrassment.
"I'm feeling the love," he said.
"I don't know where to look."
Hayden, who retired from the professional international circuit in February, visited Tiwi College at Pickataramoor on Melville Island on Wednesday with an clear message - cricket is for everyone.
Hayden laid out his vision for the future of Australian cricket.
He wants more Aboriginal kids to embrace the Baggy Green and to become professional cricketers.
"I'd love to see an indigenous player playing what is a really great game."
He said cricket Australia would be working towards making his dream a reality.
"It has been a sport that has really only been amongst mainstream Australia and I think there is a massive opportunity to change that."
Hayden spent several hours at the college, watching the girls play soccer and visiting the local water hole.
He managed to find time to swing the bat, but broke it on his second hit.
Fortunately, the kids had several more just like it on hand.
"I don't come here with any agenda, other than to say what benefits sport has provided me as a human being," he said.
Hayden, who is an ambassador for Macquarie Bank, presented a cheque worth $24,000 to the college's Soccer Academy for girls.
The Rotary Club of Darwin also donated $11,000.
The smiles on the girls' faces were luminous.
Hayden did not shy away from reciprocating the many heart felt thank-yous, giving a hug to any indigenous boy who sought one.
"I'm always inspired by the spirit in these communities," he told AAP.
Through soccer, the college is able to educate the 50 students, who live there during the week, about good nutrition, fitness and lifestyle.
Hayden said lifestyle education all began in the school yard.
"It's the process that counts within sport, the little things like how you maintain and treat your body, how much sleep you get, how much good food you put in," he told the students.
"Understand that your body is actually like a vehicle - your body needs energy and needs support.
"Your number one aim should be to be a champion on the field, but a champion in life as well."
