NSW Rugby League has extended its partnership with the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), which over the past six years has helped more than 25,000 First Nations people in NSW access health checks and well-being information through the Deadly Blues program.
The program will continue in 2025 as it assists with achieving Close The Gap targets for First Nations people. Close the Gap Day is held annually today (March 20) and aims to achieve health and life expectancy equality for First Nations people.
There are 28,000 First Nations people involved in Rugby League in NSW as players, coaches, trainers, referees, and volunteers.
The NSWRL-Deadly Blues program began in 2019 and each year helps facilitate more than 5,000 health checks across NSW in tandem with IUIH. All participants receive a Deadly Blues jersey.
High-profile NSWRL ambassadors visit communities and encourage them to make appointments at their local participating Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) for what’s known as a 715 health check.
These health checks assist in identifying whether a person is at risk of illnesses or chronic diseases.
The partnership not only aims to drive improved health outcomes for First Nations people, but also tackle other major issues like helping to increase life expectancy and improve education outcomes.
“Working closely with Deadly Choices, NSWRL and our Deadly Blues ambassadors are some of the ways we change people’s thinking, help them turn a corner to a better way of life,” NSWRL Indigenous and Community Program Manager Kristian Heffernan said.
“And that comes largely through conversations about football, that then lead onto taking steps to improve their health, their mental well-being, their relationships, their futures basically.”
Heffernan and Deadly Blues ambassadors including Dean Widders, Nathan Blacklock, Timana Tahu, Reni Matua, Willie Mason, Shaylee Bent and Jada Taylor visited towns including Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Menindee, Grafton, Ballina, Central Coast communities in 2024 to spread the word on how to change people’s lives for the better.
Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley is also an ambassador.
Itineraries for two further trips in the first half of 2025 are currently being organised for several other regional and remote communities.
“The NSWRL takes its role very seriously in helping everyone in our great game get the most out of themselves,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“The values of this organisation include being courageous, innovative and leaving a legacy for others to not just understand but to follow.
“Our Deadly Blues program does just that. We want to be part of setting standards so we all – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – move forward together.”
