National Rugby League (NRL) powerhouse, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, have locked in a partnership with national preventative health program, Deadly Choices, as part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure the future health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from across New South Wales (NSW).
Today’s unveiling of the Rabbitohs-Deadly Choices health check shirt incentives marks a significant shift towards a more coordinated approach in preventative health measures, utilising Australia’s most recognised in-community sporting brand, which will make genuine impact where it’s needed most.
Rabbitohs CEO, Blake Solly, said: “Both the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Souths Cares have worked very hard over an extended period of time to connect with regional communities via playing games outside of Sydney and program delivery by Souths Cares right around the country, particularly in the health space.
“Deadly Choices are also doing a fantastic job promoting health checks in remote and regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and it’s a natural fit for the organisations to work together.
“We’re looking forward to both the Rabbitohs and Souths Cares working alongside Deadly Choices to increase health checks and improve the lives of many Australians.”
Rabbitohs Deadly Choices health check shirts will be offered to community members who complete an annual health check at a participating Community Controlled Health Service clinic throughout New South Wales.
The length and breadth of the State will be positively impacted through related Aboriginal Health Services which include Bulgarr Ngaru (northern NSW), Yerin (Central Coast), Bourke, Wellington (WACHS), Greater Western Aboriginal Health Services (GWAHS), Durri (Kempsey - Nambucca), Biripi (Taree-Purfleet), Maari Ma (far Western NSW) and Central and Eastern PHN.
Bulgarr Ngaru CEO, Scott Monaghan is confident the new Rabbitohs merchandise will help bolster future health check bookings right across NSW.
“Our health services across the Bulgarr Ngaru footprint have enjoyed great success in maximising 715 Health Check bookings through various Deadly Choices campaigns,” confirmed Monaghan.
“When you add the Rabbitohs to the promotional mix I only see major benefit towards optimising the health of our New South Wales communities and beyond.
“Deadly Choices is the perfect example of an initiative that has been designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The universal appeal of the Rabbitohs, particularly across New South Wales is undoubted, so we’re expecting community young and old to make the most of this amazing opportunity to get their hands on a Rabbitohs Deadly Choices incentive.”
The formalised Rabbitohs partnership development marks a first in the 14-year history of Deadly Choices, which is administered by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH).
IUIH CEO Adrian Carson sees Deadly Choices as the perfect complement to the Rabbitoh’s existing community engagement portfolio, serving a valuable purpose in ensuring positive health outcomes for community.
“Through this partnership the Deadly Choices objective to have people book in for a health check can only benefit from the undoubted reach of the Rabbitohs, who will strengthen an already comprehensive community engagement strategy, which makes for a collective, holistic approach to the wellbeing and welfare of our people right across New South Wales,” confirmed Carson.
“Deadly Choices is motivated to educate all our people about the physical and emotional benefit gained by living healthy and active lifestyles, including the normalisation of regular health checks as part of an overarching health strategy.
“Health checks are just as important for our little ones, for teenagers, for parents, grandparents and our elders, so we welcome the Rabbitohs in becoming a key driving partner in engaging our people to minimise the potential of chronic illness among individuals across all NSW communities.”
