A $15.6 million Police Citizens Youth Club investment to deliver life-changing opportunities for young people living in regional and remote New South Wales has been announced.

PCYC currently delivers different programs into 22 locations including Moree, Walgett, Kempsey, Bourke, Broken Hill and Lismore, based on community need, BOSCAR data, local police information, and experience from PCYC’s Youth Programs team.

PCYC Youth programs to be receive continued funding under the partnership include U-Nites and Fit for Life, both already

Both programs focus on bringing young people together and encouraging them to understand and embrace culture and community.

U-Nites offers a safe, structured environment for young people aged 6-16, and provides fun activities promoting socialisation, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.

Moree PCYC acting manager Alex Noble said Moree PCYC has become a lively hub of connection and support on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

“The popular U-Nites program draws young people from across the community,” Mr Noble said.

“It is designed to offer a safe and welcoming space during peak evening hours – 4pm to 8pm – and provides activities, games, sports and mentoring opportunities that encourage healthy choices and positive social interaction with our staff and police officers.

“One of the things that makes the program so valuable is the support it offers beyond just activities,” he said.

“Each night, everyone sits down to a hot dinner. This gives the young people a good meal and a chance to relax and chat together.

Moree’s PCYC Georgia Clissold and Alex Noble have welcomed the new funding to Police Citizens Youth Clubs across New South Wales.

“For many families, this shared dinner has become one of the highlights of the program. It creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere and adds to the sense of community the PCYC is known for.

“The PCYC also makes sure everyone gets home safely by offering transport at the end of the night. “This simple but important service means young people can take part no matter where they live or what their circumstances are,” he said.

“Staff say it’s made a real difference, allowing more kids to join in while giving parents peace of mind.

“As Moree continues to focus on youth wellbeing and community harmony, the Thursday-to-Saturday night U-Nites program has emerged as a valuable anchor point – one that offers not only fun and friendship, but a meaningful pathway toward a stronger, safer community,” Mr Noble said.

Over the four-year partnership, PCYC NSW will deliver 278 life-changing programs across regional New South Wales.

The NSW Government will contribute $10 million to the partnership while PCYC will co-contribute $5.66 million, with the funding commitment providing young people experiencing the pressures of societal challenges and disadvantage access to PCYC’s youth programs.

PCYC NSW CEO, Ben Hobby, said young people across New South Wales face increasing social challenges relating to educational disengagement, unemployment, community connection and poor mental health.

“These issues are often, interconnected and can, in some cases, contribute to anti-social behaviour,” Mr Hobby said.

“These challenges are particularly acute in regional and remote NSW where data shows youth unemployment remains significantly above the national average and school attendance, and retention rates continue to decline for young people experiencing vulnerability or at-risk situations.

“Increasing access to PCYC Youth Programs in regional NSW is an essential frontline resource for early intervention that fosters positive relationships with Police, strengthens skills and creates pathways to employment for the rising generation.

“Without targeted support, many young people risk falling into cycles of disadvantage, causing long-term social and economic consequences to the individual and their broader community.  PCYC is uniquely positioned to break this cycle by cultivating capability, advancing agency and ultimately revitalising regions through youth empowerment.

“We know young people across NSW face increasing social challenges relating to educational disengagement, unemployment, community connection and poor mental health. These issues are often, interconnected and can, in some cases, contribute to anti-social behaviour,” he said.

The Government support ensures PCYC programs in regional areas can move from uncertain and short term-by-term funding to continuous program engagement, providing consistent care, connection and guidance for young people across multiple years.

This new funding builds on the $271,950 announced in February, 2025 for the National Rugby League and PCYC partnership which is already delivering a Youth Empowerment Program in regional New South Wales building resilience, self-confidence and encouraging community engagement.

Established in 1937, PCYC NSW is a trusted youth charity delivering life-changing youth programs to more than 13,000 young people each year, as well as providing community sports and recreation, outside of school hours care, and driver education programs.

This week’s funding announcement builds on work already underway, including $12 million to continue place-based responses in Moree and expand responses in Tamworth and Kempsey.

There was also $6.3 million earlier allocated to provide intensive bail supervision and support for young people – adding five extra caseworkers in Moree, Tamworth and Kempsey to support young people on bail – and $5 million for a new Community Safety Investment Fund to back tailored, community-led programs to give kids a positive alternative to crime.

The NSW Police Force is working around the clock to tackle youth crime and keep communities safe.

Since March, more than 300 individuals have been charged with more than 1800 offences under Operation Soteria – an ongoing policing operation that focuses on repeat offenders and targets offences such as aggravated break, enter and steal, stealing motor vehicles and post-and-boast offences across regional hotspots.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said regional youth crime is something the government is determined to tackle head-on.

“We’re in it for the long haul which is why we’re giving communities the tools they need to make real and lasting change,” she said.

“PCYCs provide positive spaces where police and young people can build trust and respect, adding to the tireless work our officers already do to keep communities safe. These are the kinds of relationships that can change a young person’s future.

“I want to thank every police officer for their ongoing work with young people. No one understands better than our police how challenging this job can be.

“Their commitment makes our communities safer every single day,” she said.