Roos partner with Deadly Choices to drive positive health outcomes

North Melbourne has partnered with Deadly Choices, described as Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preventative health program, to support healthier outcomes across Community in Victoria through culturally safe, preventative care and engagement.

The club said the initiative aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to take control of their health by making healthy choices for themselves and their families. The focus includes eating nutritiously, staying physically active, and quitting smoking or vaping.

Key Points

The collaboration operates alongside the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS). According to the announcement, the partnership is designed to translate the Deadly Choices message into tangible, positive health actions across Victoria through connections with local Community services.

North Melbourne stated the approach aligns directly with the club’s First Nations Strategy, which prioritises community-led solutions and strengthens programs that already resonate at a grassroots level. The club positioned its role as using its platform and reach to help extend messaging and engagement with preventative care.

“Sport is a powerful vehicle to inspire others and create meaningful impact,”

— Jen Watt, North Melbourne Football Club

Focus on 715 Health Checks

A central component of the initiative is encouraging individuals to access their local Community Controlled Health Service (CCHS) and complete an annual 715 Health Check. The 715 Health Check is described as a free annual preventative health assessment available at CCHS, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through regular and culturally safe health care.

The check provides an opportunity for early intervention and for monitoring overall health and key areas of risk. By promoting routine engagement with Community Controlled services, the partnership sets out to normalise preventative care, connect families to trusted providers, and strengthen long-term health management.

North Melbourne emphasised that leveraging the club’s visibility will help the Deadly Choices message travel further. The club said it aims to encourage more individuals to connect with their local health services and to remain strong and healthy for their families.

Cultural design and community engagement

A key element of the partnership is the new Deadly Choices x North Melbourne shirt, which is exclusively available to Community who complete their 715 Health Check at a participating clinic. The club described this as an incentive linked to a preventative health action, delivered through culturally safe channels.

The shirt was designed in collaboration with Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO (Wurundjeri) and artist Emma Bamblett (Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji and Taungurung). It is titled ‘walert morrok goattak’, which the announcement said means possum skin cloak in Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language.

Leadership perspectives

North Melbourne CEO Jen Watt said the club was committed to using its platform to support healthy, vibrant outcomes for the First Nations community.

She noted that as a partner, the club has a role in sharing Deadly Choices’ message of healthy living across its community connections as the initiative continues to expand. Watt also highlighted that Deadly Choices has been built by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the club pointed to this as a reason the initiative resonates.

VAHS CEO Michael Graham (Wiradjuri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta) welcomed the collaboration with North Melbourne and Deadly Choices. He described the partnership as using sport and culture as a platform to make preventative health visible, positive, and accessible, while empowering Community, building connection, and backing people to stay strong and well.