Deadly Choices celebrates the 2024 Brisbane Broncos Deadly Choices Round by welcoming kids from the Torres Strait Islands, Kowanyama, Rockhampton and Cherbourg.
Up to 50 youngsters from four Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are on the trip of a lifetime this week as they help the Broncos celebrate the annual Deadly Choices Round.
The students will attend Captain’s Run at Red Hill today after making their way to Brisbane from the Torres Strait Islands, Kowanyama, Cherbourg and Rockhampton.
It comes as the Broncos prepare to again wear this year’s Indigenous Jersey against the Dragons on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium during the annual round, which celebrates the club’s 13-year partnership with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) and its major preventative health program, Deadly Choices.
IUIH CEO Adrian Carson said “Deadly Choices encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to take control of their health by eating nutritious food, being physically active, not smoking or vaping and connecting with their Community Controlled Health Service for a 715 Health Check.
Through the continued and valued support of the Brisbane Broncos and Kia Australia, this Round allows us to reward community for their commitment to making healthy choices by involving the kids from the Torres Strait Islands, Kowanyama, Cherbourg and Rockhampton, our Elders and our Birthing in Our Community (BiOC) families. Deadly Choices Round is about fulfilling dreams, celebrating our culture and inspiring the next generation’s health journey.
As always, our people will also gain access to a replica shirts of the 2024 Broncos Indigenous Jersey as an incentive to complete their health check.
When corporates and professional sporting clubs purposefully demonstrate their commitment to community initiatives, it enables Deadly Choices to make a genuine impact in First Nations health outcomes through education and empowerment.”
For the fifth consecutive year, Broncos Major Partner Kia Australia will again donate its logo placement on the front of the team’s jersey, replaced by the Deadly Choices logo, to drive important awareness of the health initiative.
Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith described it as a proud moment to again support Deadly Choices.
“Supporting the Deadly Choices community program through a simple yet effective initiative and making a difference is something we’re proud to be part of,” Meredith said.
“What they do for regional communities change the course of people's lives for the better and we’re happy to offer our support to ensure this continues.”
The visiting students will play a special role in Deadly Choices Round gameday activities, playing ‘Mini League’ before the main game in matching mini jerseys, as well as taking part in the guard of honour and Broncos run out.
It will cap off a week of activity in the leadup to the clash, Broncos apparel partner ASICS also gifting the students with their own football boots, following Captain’s Run.
Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said:
“This is a really special week for the club, our partners in Deadly Choices and Kia Australia and of course for the next generation, who have travelled from as far as the top of Queensland to see their team.
“It’s a really big deal for these kids, quite simply - you can’t be what you can’t see.
“We again thank Kia for putting Deadly Choices front and centre and joining with us in helping to promote such an important message to Queensland communities.
“I look forward to seeing the team back in the Indigenous Jerseys, which have been one of most popular in the club’s history.”
The Indigenous jersey was designed by Quandamooka artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins and adapted for the Round.