Rugby league is set to play a central role in a new initiative to steer young people in Moreton Bay away from crime and back into education and community life.
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The program, delivered by Indigenous Mana and backed by the Dolphins NRL club, uses sport as a vehicle to engage at-risk youth, particularly those from Indigenous and Polynesian backgrounds.
The Indigenous Mana Academy will lead the delivery of a $300,000 Kickstarter Grant-funded program aimed at supporting at-risk youth aged 10 to 17 over a 12-month period. The initiative includes rugby league training and mentorship, cultural camps, and family engagement sessions designed to strengthen identity and community ties. It will also involve partnerships with First Nations businesses and Elders, ensuring the program is culturally grounded and community-led.
Young participants will be referred through police and local co-responders, and progress will be tracked through school attendance and a commitment to staying out of trouble.
The Moreton Bay Junior Rugby League Football Club, based in Deception Bay, is supporting the program by providing access to its fields on Government Street. The Dolphins will also contribute coaching support, with players involved in mentoring and development.
Indigenous Mana Founder and Managing Director Tania Goldsmith said the funding would play a vital role in changing young lives by tackling the underlying causes of disadvantage and helping youth access pathways to growth and success.
“We are excited to bring our program to the Moreton Bay region, which has a growing population of First Nations cultures and Polynesian young people,” Ms Goldsmith said.
“At Indigenous Mana we believe reconnecting young people with their culture will drive their intrinsic motivation to make positive changes to their lives and create a brighter future.”
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The initiative is being rolled out across the Moreton Bay region, where organisers hope it will create lasting change by combining sport, culture and community support to help young people build a better future.
Published 23-July-2025
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