Australia’s sports system has received a huge boost thanks to the Federal Government’s new sports policy, Backing Australia’s Sporting Ability – a More Active Australia. Under the new policy, sport in Australia will have government funding of close to $550m over four years.
The policy provides significant support through the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) for increasing the numbers of people of all ages involved in grassroots sports in schools, clubs and community environments under the Active Australia banner.
Previous Active Australia initiatives have been successful in educating the community about the importance of regular physical activity for achieving physical, social and emotional health outcomes.
ASC Active Australia initiatives will now concentrate on delivering successful sports programs designed to increase participation in organised sport across all age groups at local, club and school levels.
A key goal is the growth in the active membership of grassroots sporting clubs and associations. Active Australia will continue to work to improve management infrastructure, products and services at all levels of sport to ensure sustainable quality participation opportunities for all Australians.
It is the lead program for sport development in Australia.
The ASC’s efforts on the Active Australia program will be focused on the following.
- Attracting more people to participate in sport, especially in regional and rural communities
- Getting more young people to participate in organised sport
- Boosting the active membership of sporting organisations and local sporting clubs
- Revitalising the values of fair play, self improvement and sporting achievement
- Providing new ideas and means for business to actively support grassroots sport.
The role of Local Government
The ASC will continue its relationship with Local Government authorities across Australia through the Active Australia Local Government Network.
Established in early 1998, the Local Government Network is a national group of Councils who have made a commitment to improving the quality of sport and physical activity opportunities available for their communities.
Over 450 Local Governments across Australia have engaged in the network with 35% of all Councils now being members and another 28% in the process of becoming a member.
The Active Australia Local Government Network will continue to raise the profile of sport in local communities, highlighting the importance of, and benefits to, Councils undertaking a key role in sport provision.
Access to ASC resources, programs and information and the opportunity to broker, facilitate or directly deliver ASC programs and events will continue to be the key benefits for Network members.
Active Australia offers an extensive array of programs and resources to assist and support the Councils in the Active Australia Network undertake a proactive role in developing community sport. Information and ideas on the following initiatives are included in this supplement.
- Junior Sport
- Active Australia Provider Network
- Indigenous Sport Program
- Coaching and Officiating – Sport Education
- Australian Sports Foundation
- Disability Education Program
- Volunteer Management and Club/ Association Management Programs Active Australia Day SportNet.
