Tackling youth crime in Moreton Bay

Above: Minister Laura Gerber and State Member Kerri-Anne Dooley at today's launch in Moreton Bay.

Rugby League will be used to help tackle youth crime in the Moreton Bay region, under a new program launched today.

Indigenous Mana Academy has received a $300,000 grant from the State Government’s Gold Standard Early Intervention Kickerstarter program.

Over 12 months it will help those aged 10-17 and at risk or showing early signs of “disengagement, anti-social or criminal behaviour”.

The program uses rugby league, mentoring, cultural camps and family sessions to “re-engage young people back into education and the community”.

Premier David Crisafulli said it is “about intervening early” and “turning kids’ lives around early so we have less crime and fewer victims”.

Dolphins’ Josh Kerr, Harrison Graham and Connolly Lemuelu were at today’s launch and the NRL club will help with coaching.

Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber made the announcement at Moreton Bay Raiders Junior Rugby League Club.

The Deception Bay club is supporting the program by enabling Indigenous Mana to use its fields at Government St.

“We know how sport can engage kids. We know how important it can be to ensure kids are connected to their community and re-engaged with school," Minister Gerber said.

“(Indigenous Mana will provide) tailored mentorship, cultural support, including with the youth families to re-engage them in school … through the vehicle of rugby league.”

State Member for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley said: “It means steering kids out of a life of crime through sport.

“Teaching discipline, respect, mateship, teamwork, connection. It’s going to bring benefits to my electorate and all of those across the City of Moreton Bay.”

Young people will be referred to the program by police and Moreton Bay Co-Responders, while Indigenous Mana will liaise with schools.

Those on the Moreton Bay program will be from this region and have KPIs such as school attendance and avoiding crime.

Indigenous Mana founder and Managing Director Tania Goldsmith said the funding would help transform lives.

“We are excited to bring our program to the Moreton Bay region, which has a growing population of First Nations cultures and Polynesian young people,” she said.

“At Indigenous Mana we believe reconnecting young people with their culture will drive their intrinsic motivation to make positive changes to their lives and create a brighter future.”

Dolphins' Josh Kerr, who captained the Indigenous All Stars this season, said it's an "amazing initiative".

"Growing up in this area I saw a lot of indigenous and pacific island boys that could have been anything but didn’t have that right guidance.

"We’ll do everything we can to help out and make sure if a kid needs a step in the right direction, hopefully we can show them the way.

"I’m really glad we’re part of it. It’s a really fulfilling feeling so excited to start this journey and hope it grows into something massive."