View submission details
Submission by Melinda Quayle, Basketball NSW on 19 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.
In 2008 and now 2009 I have been involved with the AASC program in the Dubbo region delivering basketball programs in schools and after school care facilities. By being able to deliver basketball programs as part of the AASC program I have been able to promote the sport of basketball at the grass roots level of primary school children. This program also provides an opportunity to supply both the children and parents with information and awareness about the local Dubbo Junior Basketball Association and other basketball programs such as Aussie Hoops camps.
- Examine Government programs to increase participation rates in sport and physical activity, including analysis of existing programs.
The AASC program from my point of view gets children who would not normally participate in any sport to actually get involved and have a go in a variety of programs including Basketball NSW ran basketball sessions. In particular children from small schools (10 – 30 enrolments) and towns where there are no community sport opportunities are actually able to participate in some form of 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 caters for a variety of children from various back grounds including low socioeconomic, disabled and indigenous that all participate in the regular physical activity programs, such as Dubbo West Public School. These children in particular the indigenous and low socioeconomic have had support from Basketball NSW and the Dubbo Youth Foundation to retain funding to assist the children who wish to join and participate in mainstream basketball competitions.
- 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 prominently promotes positive health and healthy lifestyle choices in particular to school staff, children and their parents. Education is implemented during the AASC program through the healthy afternoon tea which is supplied at each session and the regular structured physical activity sessions.
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.
I have been working with the AASC program to deliver Basketball programs and ultimately provide support through information and awareness for these children to transfer into mainstream sport, in particular basketball.
- Recommend the most effective support and recognition for the coaches, officials, umpires, administrators and volunteers who keep our community clubs alive.
The Regional Coordinator is constantly sending out thank you certificates and appreciation certificates to me for delivering in the AASC program. The Regional Coordinator makes regular calls to see how I am going and what support she can provide me.
- 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: 19 March, 2009