South Sydney Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell changing the lives of kids in the bush

He is the NRL superstar who, away from the bright lights of the city, is trying to change the lives of vulnerable kids in the bush and letting them know that they, too, can live out their dreams.

• Police crack down on bush teens running wild

As the sun baked the field, hundreds of little faces stared up at Latrell Mitchell, busting for a signature on their drink bottles, a shake of his hand or a catch of his footy.

But first the NRL superstar and proud Aboriginal man had something to get off his chest.

“I was once sitting there like you are today,” he told the children from Kempsey and surrounds.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I always knew if I worked hard enough and respected my elders I would go a long way.”

The Rabbitohs fullback nodded as a sign of respect to the elders seated in the front row and then said to the children: “It starts today, show respect, listen to your elders”.

Latrell Mitchell playing touch footy with the kids in Kempsey. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The aunties and uncles nodded back to the boy from the bush who had made them proud. And then it was time for footy. Mitchell has tried to stay under the radar as he travels to regional towns across the state at his own expense, engaging with the kids and sending the message, through his actions, that they too can be anything they want to be.

He’s been working and travelling with some of the state’s most senior NSW police officers – a unique team with an unrivalled passion for kids and years of crime fighting experience under their belt.

A chilling rise in serious crimes being committed by 10 to 14-year-olds has this team of elite cops out on the country roads, searching for answers as to why crime in the regions is surging.

Latrell Mitchell has been travelling across NSW at his own expense to tell kids they can be whatever they want to be. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mitchell is loved by the kids he visits. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mitchell is part of the Fight for Success program. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

While they have plans in place to crack down on repeat offenders, they are digging deeper, looking for ways to engage students and get kids involved with their communities.

At the helm is Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos, who has been on the road with Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood, Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna and other senior police to launch the Fight for Success Program with Mitchell, other NRL stars and boxing promoters Matt and George Rose.

The NSW PCYC launch the Fight for Success program in Kempsey: Gavin Wood, Peter McKenna, Bennelong, Latrell Mitchell and Matt Rose. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Their company No Limit Boxing has donated loads of boxing gear to country towns.

Amateur boxing through PCYCs is being revitalised and kids have access to other sports as well as music and art.

Police are also visiting youth detention centres, meeting with high-risk juveniles due to be released and helping them with their integration back into society.

Latrell Mitchell is all smiles as are the kids. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mitchell tells the kids if they work hard and respect their elders they will go a long way. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Deputy Commissioner Pisanos and his team are “up for the fight” to get young people in regional areas away from the “buzz and thrill of crime” and engaged in their education – and connected to their community.

“The key to all of these strategies we are implementing and trialling is stabilising the kids, working with elders to get them re-engaged back in education and if that needs to be crafted in a fashion to be enough of attraction to buy them back then that’s the police needs met and diverts them from committing crime.”

No getting through this defence for Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

NSW Police have already won the first few rounds. The elders on the ground in Kempsey were filled with praise for senior police taking the time to come to their community and “open their ears”.

In Dubbo recently, the PCYC on a Friday night was packed with 200 kids and their relieved parents, who could take a breath knowing their teens were safe and off the streets running amok.

The peak night of the week for juvenile crime, the youth club instead was where the action was – kids playing Xbox, basketball, getting a good feed.

“When we get kids into a safe environment that’s when we can bring in the other services and agencies, talk to them about their concerns, educate them, start the conversations,” Mr Pisanos said.

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