Deadly Choices and NRL Partnership Launch
Deadly Choices and the National Rugby League (NRL) launched their partnership in conjunction with the NRL Indigenous Round 2024 Launch, reminding the Rugby League community of the importance of education and calling on fans to celebrate and connect with Indigenous culture.
Deadly Choices, a preventative health program of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), which aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make healthy choices by eating nutritious food, being physically active, quitting smoking & vaping and connecting with their local Community Controlled Health Service for a 715 Health Check.
As part of the partnership, Deadly Choices uses the vehicle of sport to engage community and create a unique range of partner NRL club shirt designs to be offered as an incentive for completing a health check.
“Our proven preventative health model leverages sport as a vehicle to connect with communities. Deadly Choices has strong partnerships with a range of NRL and other sporting clubs, including the Broncos, Dolphins, Titans, Cowboys, Sharks, Rabbitohs and Storm,” confirmed IUIH Director of Commercial Operations Dallas Leon.
“Deadly Choices linking with the NRL creates a perfect fit. We are excited to work together on the upcoming NRL Indigenous Rounds to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, while simultaneously promoting health messaging for Mob across Australia.”
Since 2015, the annual NRL Indigenous Round has elevated and celebrated First Nations history and culture through the game, providing a platform for the promotion of important First Nations issues.
Throughout Round 12 (May 23-26) of the 2024 Telstra Premiership this week, all NRL clubs will once again mark Indigenous Round by taking the field in eye-catching jersey designs inspired by local Indigenous art and storytelling.
All venues across the round will use their traditional custodian land names, matches will be preceded by welcome ceremonies and Indigenous cultural performances, and teams will honour past Indigenous stars and showcase the next generation.
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman, Peter V’landys AM, said:
“The importance of NRL Indigenous Round on our annual calendar can’t be understated. First Nations culture is intertwined in the fabric of Rugby League at all levels and it is more important than ever for us to recognise and celebrate that connection and ensure that we continue to move forward together.
“Rugby League’s ability to reach into our Indigenous communities and inspire the next generation is truly special. Our game has been incredibly privileged to be graced by some of the finest Indigenous athletes this country has ever produced and again we look forward to celebrating the involvement of First Nations people at all levels of the game this weekend.”
The collective Deadly Choices and NRL partnership in 2024 includes the NRL All Stars, Magic Round, Jillaroos and Kangaroos.
