The Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People together with Oxley Police District, the Trackers Network and other community service providers are hosting a touch football competition in Tamworth on 27-28 July 2023. 

Together they have invited young people from across communities that have been impacted by youth crime, to participate in this competition.

They will have approximately 6 teams from across NSW, including Broken Hill, Armidale, Dubbo, Tamworth and Mount Druitt. 

ACYP has a particular focus on youth crime and promotes positive engagement with young people, early and often.  In consultations with young people in custody they often talk about sport being something they enjoyed participating in.  We also know that a positive connection to community and culture see’s young people thrive.

NSW Police – Youth Command has a number of initiatives that focus on building positive relationships with young people and that are focussed on intervention and diversion.  In 2022 NSW Police together with PCYC and the NRL launched an anti-violence campaign.  The Commissioner was quoted as saying the whole community has a part to play in reducing violent incidents involving young people.

"We have been working on this campaign to put a stop to the incidents of violence that have played out on our streets and have had a considerable impact on community safety," Ms Webb said.

She said the program supported the force's engagement strategies aimed at prevention, intervention and diversion.

Over the past five years, a key component of growing BackTrack's reach and impact has been mentoring a small but growing peer network of like-minded, regional organisations, known as the ‘Trackers’. With nine currently working across NSW and QLD, the Trackers deliver holistic, flexible and long-term support for young people in their communities.

• BackTrack Armidale
• LeaderLife Dubbo
• Down The Track Lake Cargelligo
• Making Tracks Broken Hill
• RuffTRACK Hawkesbury
• FlatTrack Moree
• ShoreTrack Macksville
• Emerge Youth Toowoomba
• Tenterfield BackTrack

The aim of the Tracker Network is to meet ongoing demand from stakeholders, including communities, individuals and funders, to replicate the successful model that BackTrack has developed over 17 years.

• Demonstrate the positive interaction young people have with community, services and government agencies.
• There has been a lot of media and commentary around an increase in youth crime, particularly in regional areas. 
• Sport has an ability to bring young people together, in a positive way and enable positive conversations and to role model positive behaviour.
• We want to ensure there is access to diversionary programs and long term support programs in regional areas to reduce the number of young people coming into contact with police and youth justice.
• Oxley Police Command is seeking support from community, and others, to build a program similar to those programs the Tracker Network has developed in other communities, like Armidale and Dubbo. 
• Key to the success of programs, like Backtrack in Armidale, is community support and coordination of services.
• The football competition is a way to bring young people, in a positive way and to gather community support for those young people and successful programs.
• Friday 28 July the West Tigers play the Rabbitohs – and part of the competition we will make tickets available to young people to attend this game.  

Thursday 27 July 2023

• Events team (ACYP and NSW Police) arrive at fields at 10am
• Teams arrive in Tamworth (at fields) at 12pm on Thursday 27 July 2023 for a briefing and lunch.
• Cultural briefing and welcome.  
• Kick off first game 1pm.
• Wrap up footy around 4pm.
• NRL clinic or other cultural activity.
• 6pm – 7.30pm - Community Townhall with Dinner provided.

Friday 28 July 2023

• Games kick off at 9am
• Trophy presentation at 4pm
• NRL game – Gates open at 6pm – 80 tickets available.

Supporter

• Can you provide sponsorship or support to the local team to participate in this competition?
• If you are Tamworth based can you provide food, drink or other goods that can be utilised over the 2 days whilst in Tamworth?
• Tickets to attend the NRL game?
• Provide space for young people to stay and to play (footy fields)

Service Provider

• Attend the townhall on Thursday evening.
• Attend the games on Thursday and Friday to engage with young people.
• Do you want to include a team?

Government Supporters

• Opportunity for Service NSW to bring out a truck to support access to ID documentation and review of any fines.
• Positive opportunity to engage with young people.

For more information, please contact the office of the Advocate for Children and Young People at:

Ph: (02) 9248 0970

E: acyp@acyp.nsw.gov.au