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Submission by State Physical Activity Council, SA on 22 October 2008.
1. Ensure Australia's continued elite sporting success
No response
2. Better place sport and physical activity as a key component of the Government's preventative health approach
No response
3. Strengthen pathways from junior sport to grassroots community sport right through to elite and professional sport
The State Physical Activity Council of SA has asked its members to respond to the call for submissions so each member was invited to make a response. Following is one response from our rural member.Ideas on how to increase community participation in sport and physical activity.Briefly – SA’s population is 1,584,513. The rural populations are in small towns often less than 300 people. They travel large distances to access any sport or services. The participation levels in sport are extremely low and many clubs are closing down.To set the scene and give a snapshot of one council area I have gathered some data on my local town. To set the scene and give a snapshot of one council area I have gathered some data on my local town. 15 to 25 year olds - 25% of are participating in winter sport 15% in summer sport. Greater than 25 age group The percentage is significantly lower (less than 5%) in both winter and summer sport 10 to 15 age group it is approx 10%.Other council areas would be very similar. The trends • Low participation rates in sport • High cost of transport and great distances to travel • Limited opportunities • Cheap housing is bringing young people with children to the towns but they don’t necessarily have jobs. (therefore not enough money to participate) • Depression is an increasing problem which could be associated with long term drought, unemployment, isolation of a rural community and not enough exercise. This has impact on the schools and the limited health services available. • The obesity levels are higher in rural and regional areas than in the city. Ideas • We need to get community wellbeing centres established. This may not provide us with the next world champion but it will reduce the cost of health.• The exercise opportunities have to be close to home • Models need to be set up so towns have a structure to follow • I think enabling people to be active in a group situation is critical. • You can’t rely on individuals to organise themselves- there needs to be a certain level of organisation provided. This can be from key local people who could be trained as fitness instructors. • Parents need to feel for themselves the benefit of an increase in fitness levels and wellbeing to make an effort to get their children involved. • To introduce competition into a ‘fitness centre’ there could be fun runs, bike rides etc. it give people incentive to train for an event. They could enter teams for team prizes. This helps with motivation from self and others. • Active towns awards based on the same principal as tidy towns. • Fitness centres need to be based around an already established club so you can draw on the volunteer base. Most volunteers are organising so others can participate but are not being active themselves
4. Maintain Australia's cutting edge approach to sports science, research and technology
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: 22 October, 2008