The NSW government has announced more than $270,000 in funding to boost programs across PCYC gyms.
The funding will see NRL legends travel across rural and regional New South Wales, hosting events with police 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.
"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,” Andrew Abdo, National Rugby League CEO said.
“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.”
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Ben Hobby, Police Citizens Youth Club NSW (PCYC NSW) CEO said the partnership would be life changing for young people across the state.
‘’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,” he said.
The news comes as laws passed state parliament to crack down on knife crimes and to create new penalties for sharing crimes online as a ‘post and boast.’
The new offence under the crimes act criminalised the filming and disseminating of footage of certain serious offences to publicise or advertise the commission of that offence. The bail act was also amended to include an additional bail test for young people between 14 and 18 charged with committing a ‘serious break and enter offence’ or motor vehicle offence while on bail for a similar offence. Penalties for certain knife crimes have also doubled.
Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said programs like PCYC were ‘vital’ to keeping children engaged.
“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,” he said.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said:
“The NSW Police and Government are doing everything we can to keep our regional communities safe – we don’t want to see anyone living in fear,” police minister Yasmin Catley said.
“Our police are working around the clock to not only investigate crimes but to engage with young people and show them positive alternatives to crime.”
