NSW Government, NRL and PCYC partner to engage youth through fitness and sport

The NSW Government has entered into a new partnership with the National Rugby League and PCYC to help keep youth 'on the right track' by engaging young people in important conversations about mental health, physical fitness and nutrition.

Over $270,000 is being invested into the program which will see senior NRL players including Brad Fittler, PCYC staff and NSW Police representatives engaging with young people across a series of events including Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Cup games, PCYC centre events and Fit for Life sessions.

Designed to support social cohesion, collaboration and skills building, the program will also engage young people in important conversations about mental health, physical fitness and nutrition.

These programs will be rolled out across regional NSW including Dubbo, Cessnock, Queanbeyan, the Central Coast, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Coffs Harbour and Tamworth.

This follows the launch of Project Pathfinder last year, a partnership between the NSW Police Force, National Rugby League and Youth Justice NSW which provides at risk teenagers from regional areas with mentorships and opportunities to reach their full potential.

NSW Premier, Chris Minns noted “this is a great initiative and one the NSW Government is really proud to support.

“We want our regional communities to be safe, which is why we are working around the clock to take every action we can from legislative reform, to supporting grassroots interventions.

“Programs like this are vital to keeping kids engaged with their local community and on the right track.”

NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper advised “the outcome of sport is so often greater than the scoreboard. Sporting communities in many cases are the heart of our regional communities and they can be great ways to engage our younger generations and promote positive role models.”

NRL Chief Executive, Andrew Abdo shared "rugby league changes lives and this new partnership will harness the power of government, community and sport to positively impact on young people across NSW.

“Supporting youth in regional areas is important to us and this funding will help us reach even further into communities to provide opportunities and a support network to young people who need a helping hand.”

Ben Hobby, Police Citizens Youth Club NSW (PCYC NSW) Chief Executive added ‘’the PCYC has a strong and enduring tradition of working with youth in regional areas across NSW, and we know how impactful the role models in the NRL can be to these communities - young people look up to these incredible athletes and sports stars.

“We value our partnership with the Government and the NRL and know that having current and former players of the NRL and WNRL working with regional youth will be life-changing for the rising generation and the broader communities we support.”