View submission details
Submission by Katrina Hausia on 27 March 2009.
2. Better place sport and physical activity as a key component of the Government's preventative health approach
- Examine Government frameworks to ensure an on-going focus on grassroots and community sport and physical activity.
I have been a coach in the AASC program in Dubbo for the past 2 years and have run at least 5 sessions a week each term and I think the program is absolutely fantastic for getting inactive kids doing some form of exercise and sport. I think that for primary school children it is vital to positively influence their thoughts on sport and exercise in order to make sure they continue their active involvement in sport throughout their life and this is achieved through the AASC program which is increasing the number of children enjoying sports and exercise in general through the ‘Playing for Life’ philosophy. The program is also promoting and giving these grass roots children the opportunity to try a variety of sports as well as supporting and linking the children to local junior clubs where they can further develop their skills. I also like that the program doesn’t just focus on the predominant sports but also looks at martial arts, circus, dance, archery etc which majority of the children I deal with would never have tried before.
- Examine Government programs to increase participation rates in sport and physical activity, including analysis of existing programs.
The AASC program is providing inactive children with the opportunity to participate in extra sporting sessions of an afternoon so they can try a number of sports and get active in an enjoyable environment by getting different community coaches to run their sports program. None of the children at Dubbo West Public School and Buninyong Public School would have ever had the opportunity to participate in structured sport physical activity sessions let alone mainstream sport due to low socioeconomic status, high indigenous population and low literacy however the AASC program is providing these special children with a program which has children regularly participating in physical activity and sport and also informing the parents about what sporting clubs are available in the Dubbo region, how to get into these sports and providing support by sending them to the Dubbo Youth Foundation which is an organisation which assists disadvantaged children to access mainstream sport through sporting grants. Also in some of the smaller schools which I run the program at these kids have no community sporting clubs so the AASC program is the only way these children can access structured sporting sessions and try a number of different sports. I have also be running satellite sessions for Bourke/Walgett SODE, White Cliffs PS and Hay SOTA where I deliver circus, dance and martial arts programs so that these remote and isolated communities and kids where sport is non existent can also participate in physical activity sessions and different types of sports. For all the schools where I deliver the AASC program is instrumental in encouraging inactive kids to be active and enjoy sport.
- Identify and recommend opportunities to break down barriers to participation at junior, adult and senior ages with a view to making it simpler and easier for Australians to participate in the sport or physical activity of their choice, including for women, the disabled and Indigenous people.
The AASC program and the ‘playing for life’ philosophy is so well design that it doesn’t matter whether a child is low socioeconomic, indigenous or has a disability because the program can be tailored to suit and include them all. I work in some high indigenous enrolments schools and the kids are just beautiful because they appreciate this opportunity and love getting involved in and trying all the different sports. Through the AASC program we have also run TIG games at these schools so that the children can learn about their culture as well as getting active. Also the link which the AASC program has with the Dubbo Youth Foundation in the Dubbo region encourages, supports and assists these disadvantaged children to get into junior sport where there may be barriers such as low socioeconomic, racial issues etc.
- Recommend strategies to increase the effectiveness of the promotion of sport by the Federal Government to better communicate positive health and activity messages to the broader community.
The AASC program is probably one of the best programs I have seen in schools when it comes to promoting healthy lifestyle through being active and eating healthy. Particularly at Dubbo West Public School they put such an effort on trying to teach the kids about the importance of healthy lifestyle during the AASC program and other areas of the school including the canteen. At this school the children always have a beautiful fruit platter which has different fruit each term and at the end of each term the coordinators organise a cooking class where the children decide, plan, and prepare a healthy afternoon tea such as fruit kebabs, fruit salads, mini pizzas etc in an attempt to teach these children life skills. For the kids at this school afternoon tea with the AASC program can be their tea. The program also provides the kids with something to do after school so they don’t get involved in inappropriate behaviour around town. The AASC program also allows the kids to active in a enjoyable, safe and fun environment and helps with trying to achieve an appropriate level of activeness each week.
3. Strengthen pathways from junior sport to grassroots community sport right through to elite and professional sport.
- Examine the capacity of the system to ensure optimal and efficient delivery of the athlete and coach pathway for any given sport.
When I run certain sporting programs (e.g. netball, archery, golf, circus) I always work with the regional coordinator to try to promote the local junior clubs and encourage kids to become involved in that local junior sport and I always refer them to Mick Haley at the Dubbo Youth Foundation for support as well. I have seen a few kids actually venture into the local Pinnaroos Netball club from the AASC program which has been great. Also I know the AASC program is now getting sporting club coaches to come in and run their sports program and to promote their junior competitions as well which will be so good.
- Recommend the most effective support and recognition for the coaches, officials, umpires, administrators and volunteers who keep our community clubs alive.
I am always being recognised and thanked for my involvement with the AASC program through certificates, media release and 5 Star Community Coach Nominations. Also the regional coordinator is always ringing me to see how I am going and if I need any help in particular with my satellite sessions which I am often needed help with to plan. Also i am always being offered the opportunity to attend workshops to further develop my skills as a coach.
- Examine how relationships between the Commonwealth Government and National Sporting Organisations, State Sporting Organisations and Australia’s peak representative bodies at key multi-sports competitions may be strengthened to deliver better performance outcomes.
No response
5. Identify opportunities to increase and diversify the funding base for sport through corporate sponsorship, media and any recommended reforms, such as enhancing the effectiveness of the Australian Sports Foundation
No response
Page last updated: 27 March, 2009