Two proud Redcliffe locals, Australian league legend Petero Civoniceva along with Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and State Member for Redcliffe, The Hon. Yvette D’ath were on hand today as the newest NRL club the Dolphins confirmed a partnership with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health’s (IUIH) Deadly Choices preventative health program.
The announcement comes as the Dolphins continue to host some of the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rugby league players during this week’s Arthur Beetson Foundation Queensland Murri Carnival, brought to you by Health and Wellbeing Queensland and Deadly Choices.
Associations between Deadly Choices and the event’s key stakeholders, including the Moreton Bay Regional Council, are well entrenched through the annual Statewide feature that attracts 1000-plus players and more than 32,000 spectators from across Queensland. Now, with the Dolphins confirming their support of IUIH’s preventative health program it ensures an even more expansive footprint to be established.
Deadly Choices partnership means so much more
Minister grabs regarding the key health pillars of Deadly Choices and personal satisfaction in having the Dolphins support such a valued service for the Moreton Bay region and right across Queensland
Health and Wellbeing Queensland CEO, Robyn Littlewood confirmed the State Government body was pleased to support the newest Deadly Choices NRL partnership.
“We will back the partnership by contributing an additional $319,500 to further build on the success of the existing partnership we have in place with IUIH to support their Deadly Choices Healthy Lifestyle Program,” confirmed Dr Littlewood.
“We’re proud to support Deadly Choices which influences healthy behaviour changes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders,” Dr Littlewood said.
The community partnership portfolio of the Dolphins has always been of paramount consideration for the NRL newcomers, who are determined to provide worthwhile benefit to communities right across the country.
Dolphins’ NRL chief executive Terry Reader said the Dolphins wanted to make a difference as they join the NRL for the first time in 2023.
“We are well aware of the wonderful work the Deadly Choices program does right across Queensland,” said Mr Reader.
“As the newest professional sporting team in the country, the Dolphins are determined to help provide greater outcomes for the community.
“We know that being involved in this program means we are positively impacting the lifestyles and general health and wellbeing of Indigenous people everywhere in our state.
Joining the entourage at today’s official launch of the Dolphins’ Deadly Choices partnership were Civoniceva’s fellow program Ambassadors and league identities Steve Renouf, Willie Tonga, Dolphins’ NRL squad member Valynce Te Whare as well as Dolphins Group CEO Tony Murphy.
The classy group of league legends will be joined by Dolphin’s foundation players as Deadly Choices Ambassadors, intent on fulfilling a valued role as the partnership evolves.
“We commend and thank the Dolphins for their unwavering support which will ensure Deadly Choices becomes one of the Club’s founding community partners amid the excitement and anticipation surrounding its entry into the National Rugby League,” confirmed IUIH CEO, Adrian Carson.
“It’s been proven time and time again that when professional sporting clubs show a commitment to community initiatives like this one, it better enables our Deadly Choices teams to make genuine impact across the whole country, through education and empowerment.
“We look forward to establishing collective goals across the entire footprint of the Redcliffe Dolphins, while ensuring optimal health outcomes among community members young and old.
“What better way towards success than providing these deadly new Dolphins shirts as incentives for everyone who books in for a free 715 health check at their local Community Controlled Health Service.
“This partnership will bring life-changing benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples right across Australia.
“None of this is achievable without the ongoing support of the Queensland Government so we thank them wholeheartedly in providing a vital opportunity to further expand our community reach right across Queensland in partnership with the Redcliffe Dolphins.”
Sporting partnerships contribute significantly to IUIH’s preventative health initiatives, which has seen an incredible 4000% increase in 715 Health Checks in South-East Queensland and leading to the expansion of Deadly Choices right across Queensland and interstate.
The IUIH is excited to be joining with the Dolphins which will significantly assist its efforts in closing the health and life expectancy gap that exists between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations and non-Indigenous Australians right across the Moreton Bay Region.
