Broncos star recruit Ryan James is trading the sports field for the classroom, helping Logan students to become tomorrow’s Indigenous leaders.
The Logan Leadership Day will see several high-profile sporting stars host a series of team building and sporting activities for Woodridge State High School students, part of the fast-growing Beyond the Broncos program.
Linking cultural identity with academic achievement, 45 students at the school are enrolled in the program, an initiative of the Brisbane Broncos and major community partner NRMA Insurance to inspire and assist with educational opportunities for Indigenous students.
Ryan will be joined by Australian sports legends Justin Hodges and Beryl Friday for a series of classroom leadership activities before taking to the school oval for some football fun.
“I am very humbled be a part of the Logan Leadership Day at Woodridge State High School, using my career success on the footy field to inspire young men and women to set their own goals for the future by staying in school,” said Ryan.
“I’m so excited to be a part of this club and see firsthand so many young Indigenous students in Logan benefit from the Beyond the Broncos program in 2021. Through the program, they have learnt to value their education, build their confidence and a sense of pride in their culture.
“I am very proud to be part of such a supportive Broncos community. I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today without setting goals for myself and having the drive and determination to achieve those goals. It is vital that we empower the next generation, giving them the skills to become tomorrow’s leaders.”
As one the fastest growing educational programs for Indigenous men and women in the country, the Beyond the Broncos program places great importance on connecting students to their culture and helping them build a sense of pride.
More than 2,000 young Indigenous men and women across Queensland and northern NSW are enrolled in the program, which mentors and supports students in Year 7-12 and into young adulthood to help them succeed.
Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy Ambassador and Indigenous netball superstar Beryl Friday will be on hand to run a series of leadership activities.
“I am extremely honoured to be delivering this important leadership event to our Logan students,” said Beryl, a proud Nyungkul woman of the Kuku-Yalanji Nation.
“Education is central in the empowerment of our young men and women as it provides the foundation for a productive life. Through education, the possibilities for our young people to have an enriched life are endless.”
The Beyond the Broncos Program is improving attendance rates and behaviour for Indigenous students across the Logan region. It also aims to increase confidence, and foster leadership and is supported by major community partner NRMA Insurance, the Federal Government’s National Indigenous Agency, and the Queensland Government.
Christine Halliwell, General Manager of Community & Government Programs at the Brisbane
Broncos, said sporting heroes like Ryan, Justin and Beryl were inspiring the next generation to value education, connect to culture and take a positive step towards their future careers.
“The Broncos are thrilled to deliver this special Leadership Day in Logan, celebrating what is deadly about our First Nations culture and creating a safe and supportive environment for students,” she said.
“Since the Beyond the Broncos program launched in Logan in 2016, we have supported more than 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys and girls in this region. It’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm and passion for taking an active role in their futures, paving the way for tomorrow’s leaders.”
Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy has supported more than 4,000 students since it was established in 2016, recognising the vital role that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women play in influencing the next generation.
To find out more, visit broncos.com.au/community or email community@broncos.com.au. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BeyondtheBroncosProgram.
