After-school sport volunteers helping to get children active

MEDIA RELEASE

December 19, Australian Sports Commission

The Australian Government’s Active After-school Communities (AASC) program in Tasmania has paid tribute to the volunteers who are helping to get more children active.

The AASC program is delivered in 90 schools and out of school hour care services in the Tasmania.

This term, primary school-aged children have been given the opportunity to try 26 in the after-school timeslot of 3.00pm-5.30pm.

Community coaches, most of whom are volunteers, have delivered a range of sports and physical activities throughout the school year, encouraging children to develop a love of sport that inspires them to join a sporting club.

“International Volunteer Day falls in the month of December so it is an ideal time to recognise the volunteer coordinators, supervisors and coaches in our program. Simply put, without their valuable contributions, the program could not run,” the AASC State Manager for Tasmania, Blair Brownless said.

“We have had overwhelming success since the program started in 2005, with over 6 000 children across Tasmania participating in the program each week in an effort to becoming more active and healthy as a result,” Brownless said.

“There are a range of volunteers in the program who do everything from coaching sport, to providing healthy afternoon teas, coordinating the program, booking venues and applying for program grants.”

On Friday December 16 four such coaches were recognised and presented with certificates by Senator Catryna Bilyk and MP Andrew Willkie. Along with the coaches the AASC program also recognised 6 school personnel that help coordinate and supervise the AASC program at their respective school.

The AASC program is an Australian Government initiative delivered by the Australian Sports Commission in up to 3,270 schools and out of school care centres across Australia. Each term, up to 190,000 children participate in up to 70 different sports and 20 structured physical activities after school.

For more information about the AASC program visit the website.

Active After School Communities volunteer awards by MP Andrew Wilkie.

Active After School Communities award recipients with Senator Bilyk.