All around Australia nearly 150,000 children are playing sport and getting active thanks to the Active After-school Communities (AASC) program. This Australian Government program, managed by the Australian Sports Commission, aims to increase the level of activity among primary school aged children.
From the remote Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory, to Macquarie Fields in Sydney, the program is found all over Australia in more than 3,200 remote (nine per cent of sites), regional (38 per cent) and metropolitan areas (53 per cent).
The success of the program lies in its community partnership approach.
Over 3,200 schools and outside school hour care services are involved, and over 20,000 local community coaches have undertaken the free Community Coach Training program. In addition, there are national and state sporting organisations, sporting clubs, local community organisations and private providers of sports programs all helping to ensure that the program is a success. All partners are committed to delivering a quality, safe and fun after-school physical activity program for primary school aged children.
Australian Sports Commission Director of Community Sport, Judy Flanagan, believes that the program gives children the opportunity to beat inactivity, and also has many social benefits.
“Since the program began in 2005 we have seen so many great things happen in the children’s lives,” she said. “Teachers have come to me and told me that bullying in the playground has decreased because the kids are playing the games we’ve taught them. Others have said they’ve seen more integration among the children as their sense of pride grows, being part of the program.
“We target traditionally inactive children from all backgrounds and have found that through sport and activities, cultural and religious barriers can be minimised and social inclusion encouraged.”
In 2006 a three year pilot program called the All Australian Sporting Initiative (AASI) was introduced to Lakemba and Macquarie Fields regions to build on the foundations of the AASC program. Delivered with local community support, AASI aims to promote inclusion and participation, encourage parental involvement, foster community links and strengthen social harmony and social cohesion.
The benefits of sports towards social inclusion were recently demonstrated at a multi sport gala day. The All Australian Games had over 700 children participating from 14 primary schools. Helping on the day were high school students, representatives from State and Federal Government agencies, local community organisations, plus state and local sports clubs.
“On the day, many friendships and networks were formed between participants,” said Fatima Kourouche, AASI Community Sport Coordinator. “For many participants it was the first time they had visited the Athletic Centre. After trying some new activities the children built their confidence to pursue the sport at their local sports club.”
The Australian Sports Commission provides the free Community Coaching Training Program at locations all around Australia.
For more information on the AASC program, including
the contact details of your AASC state office, visit
ausport.gov.au/aasc
If you would like to know more about the AASI program please contact Fatima Kourouche on (02) 8765 2556 or
0448 466 893 or by email fatima.kourouche@ausport.gov.au
