Queensland Government
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Tanner Anderson from Alexandra Hills State High in Brisbane enjoyed the surf at the Gold Coast as part of the Deadly Sports program.

"Deadly" sports sessions are making nutrition and health education fun for thousands of Indigenous school children across the state.

More than 10,500 Queensland Indigenous school children have now attended full-day Deadly Sports sessions over the past two years.

Coordinator Brian Kerle, an Olympian and former National Basketball League coach, leads a team of sporting identities who talk to primary school students about health, education, family and sport, and then run a series of 45-minute sport participation clinics. 

"It’s always easier to talk with kids about nutrition and health in a sporting environment and getting the message from the elite players is very important for them," says Brian, who has been coordinating Deadly Sports for the Department of Communities for two years.

"If (former rugby league Test centre) Steve Renouf says 'you’ve got to eat a banana', then the kids think it must be good to eat a banana!"

Deadly Sports began in November 2008 in response to the Council of Australian Governments' effort to address Indigenous disadvantage. Deadly Sports particularly targets improving Indigenous health.

Sporting identities involved in the program include Olympic softballer Tanya Harding, former Brisbane Lions AFL player Darryl White, former Brisbane Broncos and Australian Test rugby league players Mick De Vere and Darren Smith, ex-Brisbane Bullets basketballer Stephen Black and former Test cricketer Andy Bichel.

In 2010, Deadly Sports branched out into beach sports, allowing participants to experience surfing, body boarding, body surfing and lifesaving sports like beach sprints and beach flags.

"The aim of surf-based programs is twofold," says Brian.

"First, it introduces the kids to some fun and very active activities that most haven't experienced before.

"Second, and more seriously, through these activities and presentations about surf safety, they gain important skills and confidence in the surf environment."

For more information call 3237 0475 or visit the department's website - go to sportrec and search for deadly sports.