Deadly Choices and Dolphins Continue to Champion Community Health in 2025

While the Dolphins NRL continue to be a significant force in the NRL they also continue to play a major part in Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community’s health outcomes through their ongoing partnership with leading preventative health program, Deadly Choices.

Deadly Choices, an initiative of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health’s (IUIH), empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to eat nutritious food, be physically active, quit smoking or vaping and connect with their local Community Controlled Health Service (CCHS) for a regular 715 Health Check. A 715 Health Check is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific health check which identifies key areas of risk.

In particular, the Dolphins partnership supports Deadly Choices’ Moreton Bay and North Brisbane footprint through the Moreton Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (Moreton ATSICHS).

In 2025, the partnership will again promote the highly anticipated Deadly Choices x Dolphins health check shirts, featuring three new exclusive designs. The shirts are utilised as an impactful incentive to encourage community members to complete a 715 Health Check at their local CCHS and take home a free and exclusive shirt.

Dolphins’ playmaker Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, a proud Saibai Island man born in Cairns, emphasised the power behind health check shirts.

“It’s pretty cool to see these deadly shirts on, that shows that Mob have been for their health check and they’re looking after their wellbeing as well,” said Tabuai-Fidow.

As a result of this impactful program, in 2023/24 Moreton ATSICHS completed 5,857 715 Health Checks contributing to the 23,732 715 Health Checks done in South East Queensland by our IUIH Network health services. Ultimately, contributing to both partners ongoing commitment to closing the health and life expectancy gap for Indigenous Australians.

IUIH CEO Wayne Ah Boo welcomed the continuation of the important partnership.

Ah Boo said, “This partnership engages our community, especially the Moreton region, which is so important for us to further enhance our positive health messaging and continue to encourage health checks throughout Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across South East Queensland.”

“The leadership of young players like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Trai Fuller and Josh Kerr, and our newest Deadly Choices Ambassador Edrick Lee, inspires our people to make healthy choices for themselves, their families and their communities.”

Dolphins CEO Terry Reader was also pleased with the extension, “Having been involved since our inaugural season, it is fantastic to extend our partnership with Deadly Choices for 2025. The work they provide, particularly throughout the northern corridor, is an integral asset for the region, and it is great to see the Dolphins 715 Health Check shirts heavily represented in the community.”

Together the Dolphins and Deadly Choices will continue to promote healthy choices with the new shirt designs available at participating Community Controlled Health Services nationwide and further initiatives planned for NRL Indigenous Round.