Community
19 June, 2026
Fishing to lure bored youth
A CAIRNS youth organisation is expanding its mentoring work to the wider community through a new school holiday fishing program designed to build confidence, communication skills and resilience in young people.
Thrive & Connect will launch its first five-day ‘Cast & Connect’ holiday Program from 6-10 July, offering fishing experiences and structured mentoring activities for boys and girls aged 10 to 14.
Based at the North Cairns Tigers Football Club in Manunda, Thrive & Connect has spent the past two years working with vulnerable and disengaged young people through mentoring, youth development and early intervention programs.
Founder and CEO Jason Tom said the idea for Cast & Connect grew out of the organisation’s existing work. “Some of the most meaningful mentoring moments we’ve shared with young people have happened standing beside the water, cooking a feed or travelling between fishing spots,” he said.
“Fishing is simply the vehicle. The real focus is helping young people build confidence, communication skills, resilience, self-regulation and positive social connections.”
The program will run from 8am to 3pm each day and includes visits to Palm Cove Jetty, freshwater fishing locations around Cairns and a road trip to Port Douglas.
Activities throughout the week will include fishing skill-building sessions, cast netting, group challenges, team-building exercises and mentoring activities focused on confidence, initiative, critical thinking and positive social skills.
Lunch, snacks and fishing gear will be provided and participants will also receive a fishing shirt.
According to Thrive & Connect, more than 150 young people have participated in its programs since the organisation was established in 2024. Participation has grown from 23 young people in its inaugural ‘High School Readiness Program’ to more than 150 young people engaging in programs and initiatives over the past two years.
The organisation says Cast & Connect responds to growing concerns among families about screen time, social isolation and youth wellbeing by encouraging young people to spend time outdoors, learn practical skills and build relationships with peers and mentors.
A free ‘Cast & Connect Come and Try Day’ is on 19 June, allowing young people and families to experience the program before the school holiday activities begin.
