Wirrpanda and Cook launch Deadly Brotha Boyz mentoring program

Former AFL stars David Wirrpanda and Troy Cook were at Kojonup Sporting Complex last week to launch the Wirrpanda Foundation’s new Deadly Brotha Boyz Aboriginal youth mentoring program.

The Deadly Brotha Boyz program is a weekly program for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys aged 8-18.

The program engages positive male mentors to provide assistance to young boys and men who have entered or are at risk of entering the youth justice system, to re-engage in school and the community.

Department of Sport and Recreation Great Southern Aboriginal sports development manager and Wirrapanda Foundation mentor Robbie Miniter said the program was about letting the youths know there were opportunities available to them.

“We need something that is going to broaden the minds of the young guys beyond some of the issues in their communities,” he said.

Mr Miniter said running the program from the Kojonup Sporting Complex was perfect as the kids could come straight across the road from school.

“After their Deadly Brotha Boyz session they’re going to go home and start thinking there is a vision and a future there for me,” he said.

“If they have homework we’ll help them with that or if they want to go and do some cultural stuff we can do that.”