Miles government announces $2.65 million in funding for Johnathan Thurston Academy’s JTYouGotThis program

A program run by a North Queensland sporting legend aimed at building resilience and confidence in at-risk youths is set to receive an additional $2.65 million in funding.

Steven Miles with Johnathan Thurston at the JT Academy in Townsville. Picture supplied.

A program run by a North Queensland sporting legend aimed at building resilience and confidence in at-risk youths is set to receive an additional $2.65 million in funding.

The Miles Labor Government announced funding to ensure the delivery of the Johnathan Thurston Academy’s JTYouGotThis program until the end of 2025, bringing the total commitment to $7.38 million.

The program sees mentors work with groups of young people to develop tools to enable them to drive positive change, using goal setting and cultural engagement. It aims to divert young people, who are considered to be at risk of reoffending, away from the criminal justice system.

The JTYouGotThis program has been delivered in Townsville and Cairns since 2023 and in Mount Isa in 2024 from an initial $4.73 million investment from the Miles Government.

Premier Steven Miles has also committed $4.9 million per year until 2027 to be invested in the JT Academy to further expand their operations.

Jonathan Thurston's JT Academy is working closely with the Queensland Government to help juvenile delinquents involved in youth crime correct their behaviour and assimilate into society. Picture: Brendan Radke

Johnathan Thurston said the early intervention program is aligned to the Australian Curriculum and Youth Justice Framework.

“The program offers a flexible, engaging, safe and positive environment where the youth are mentored by the JT Academy team and this aims to lead to a positive shift in attitude, self-worth and value,” he said.

“The Academy values a collaborative approach by coordinating where appropriate with key stakeholders and traditional owners.”

Since September 2023, 82 per cent of young people who have completed the program have seen a positive life change between their time of referral to when they completed the program.

Many participants of the program have reported improvements in substance use, mental health and engagement with school, as well as improvements in communication, family and social relationships, employment, housing and managing emotions and behaviours.

Premier Steven Miles said hundreds of kids have benefited from the workshops.

“I have always said we will invest in what we know works and we know what the JT Academy does here works,” he said.

“By empowering and equipping young people with the skills and resilience they need, we are investing in their potential and building a stronger, safer Queensland.”

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer said an early evaluation of the program found it showed to have positive impacts on participants.

“We recognise that community safety is a concern for many Queenslanders and that is why we’re investing in prevention and early intervention,” she said.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said Johnathan Thurston ‘is Townsville’.

“He gets it and I applaud his commitment to turning around the lives of young people,” he said.

“JT is an inspiration to so many in Townsville and Queensland and through his academy he continues to make a difference in young people’s lives.

Originally published as Miles government announces $2.65 million in funding for Johnathan Thurston Academy’s JTYouGotThis program