Police Program Gives Students An Edge

A �group of Bracken Ridge State High School students are participating in a physical training program that will stand them in good stead for the future.

Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow, Empower) is an initiative of Blue Light Queensland, which sees local police officers coordinate activities for young people, designed to encourage healthy minds and bodies. �

Boondall Police Officer in Charge, Senior Sergeant Damien Houston, said Blue EDGE was a multi-faceted program aimed at breaking down barriers between youth and the Queensland Police Service, and providing them with life skills.

The program is eight weeks in length with two sessions per week,� Senior Sergeant Houston said. Each session is structured exactly the same.

Research supports the fact that physical activity is important for overall health, so the kids get exposed to professional physical training. They also have the opportunity to speak to mentors and role models who are able to provide guidance on how they negotiated difficult times in their lives.

We emphasise the importance of nutrition and all participants receive a nutritional breakfast.�

Bracken Ridge State High School Principal Ross Bailey said the program gave students a sense of teamwork, discipline and fun.

This all happens in an environment where our students get to work towards achieving some of their individual goals,� Ross said. We also love the chance to partner with the Queensland Police Service on this initiative, particularly as we know how critical their work is with young people across Queensland.�

Ross said sport, health and fitness were in the DNA of Bracken Ridge State High School, so they had to run the program by invitation only.

So far it is fully subscribed, with all participants being present and prepared by 7am on the first day,� Ross said. We know that the success of the program will generate further interest from students, so we'll work closely with the police organisers to make sure that if the program is successful, we can run it again for another group of young people.�

At the end of the program students participate in the Final EDGE, where they will celebrate their achievements and receive a pair of new running shoes.