THE State Government has formed a new partnership with the National Rugby League and PCYC to help keep kids on the right track.

More than $270,000 is being invested in the program, which will see senior NRL players including Brad Fittler, PCYC staff and NSW Police representatives engage with young people across a series of events including Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Cup games, PCYC centre events and Fit for Life sessions.

Designed to support social cohesion, collaboration and skills building, the program will also engage young people in important conversations about mental health, physical fitness and nutrition.

As the Government aims to better community safety across regional New South Wales, the programs will be rolled out across the state, including Dubbo, Cessnock, Queanbeyan, the Central Coast, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Coffs Harbour and Tamworth.

The government’s crackdown on crime on crime includes amending the Bail Act to include an additional bail test for young people between 14 and 18 charged with committing a ‘serious break-and-enter offence’ or motor vehicle offence while on bail for a similar offence.

A new ‘post and boast’ offence under the Crimes Act, criminalising the filming and disseminating of footage of certain serious offences to publicise or advertise the commission of that offence will also be introduced.

The government also passed and enacted Jacks Law, which provides NSW Police with powers to scan people for knives without a warrant, with the maximum penalty for certain knife crimes being doubled.

Jack’s Law also raised the age from 16 to 18 for the sale of knives to young people.

This follows the launch of Project Pathfinder last year, a partnership between the NSW Police Force, National Rugby League and Youth Justice NSW which provides at-risk teenagers from regional areas with mentorships and opportunities to reach their full potential.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said the NSW Government wants the regional communities to be safe, “which is why we are working around the clock to take every action we can from legislative reform, to supporting grassroots interventions”.

“Programs like this are vital to keeping kids engaged with their local community and on the right track,” Mr Minns said.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said NSW Police and the State government are doing everything possible to keep regional communities safe.

“We don’t want to see anyone living in fear,” she said.

“Our police are working around the clock to not only investigate crimes but to engage with young people and show them positive alternatives to crime.

“I thank the NRL and PCYC for their continued support for our young people and regional communities.”

Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper said the outcome of sport is so often “greater than the scoreboard”. “Sporting communities in many cases are the heart of our regional communities and they can be great ways to engage our younger generations and promote positive role models,” Mr Kamper said.

National Rugby League CEO Andrew Abdo said rugby league changes lives.

“This new partnership will harness the power of government, community and sport to positively impact on young people across New South Wales,” Mr Abdo said.

“Supporting youth in regional areas is important and this funding will help us reach even further into communities to provide opportunities and a support network to young people who need a helping hand.”

Police Citizens Youth Club NSW CEO Ben Hobby said the PCYC has a strong and enduring tradition of working with youth in regional areas across NSW.

“We know how impactful the role models in the NRL can be to these communities – young people look up to these incredible athletes and sports stars,” Mr Hobby said.

“We value our partnership with the Government and the NRL and know that having current and former players of the NRL and WNRL working with regional youth will be life-changing for the rising generation and the broader communities we support.”