Broncos are stepping off the sidelines and into local classrooms, empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to become the leaders of tomorrow.
The Beyond the Broncos Program is the ultimate package, combining cultural identity with academic achievement among local students.
Beyond the Broncos has supported over 4000 students since the program launched in 2016, acknowledging the pivotal role that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders play in shaping the next generation.
This program is already propelling local students like Cleveland District State High School Student Anika Anderson to reach their full potential as First Nations leaders.
At just 13 years old, Anika has been elected as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ambassador for the second consecutive year and has also been appointed a junior leader in her school.
She was also one of seven Cleveland District State High School Students chosen to represent the school last year in Indigenous leadership.
Anika attributes her leadership success to the Beyond the Broncos program and said she had felt more confident in herself as a result.
“It’s pretty good that the ambassadors take their own time to come and see us and talk to us about leadership and goals,” she said.
“We come together and make plans or ideas on what to do with all of us together, such as changes in the school and ideas to do during NAIDOC week.”
Anika said she was thrilled to be a school ambassador and aimed to influence and inspire younger students to become leaders as well.
To kick-start term three, Anika and her fellow classmates will embark on a new theme, identity and legacy, and will get the opportunity to meet sporting heroes Beryl Friday and Darius Boyd on July 13.
Beyond the Broncos ambassadors Friday, Boyd, Alex Glenn, Romy Teitzel and Ali Brigginshaw will visit four schools across the Redlands, starting at Victoria Point State High School on July 11.
This will be followed by Alexandra Hills State High School and Wellington Point State High School on July 12, and culminate in a visit to Cleveland District State High School on July 13.
For more about the program, visit broncos.com.au.
