Australia's indigenous sport program creates opportunity for youth

The Australian Sports Commission has created the Indigenous Sports Program with the goal of getting indigenous communities, particularly youth, involved in sporting activities. Sport can be a great way to make friends, have fun, and remain healthy and these are the objectives advocated by the program.

The program works in conjunction with the Australian Football League (AFL), netball association, and with State and Territory departments of Sport and Recreation. The program trains community members as coaches, officials, and administrators, so that sustainable, well-organized sports programs can continue in the communities served.

As Indigenous Sport Program Adam Goodes explains:
“The Indigenous Sport Program gives communities the ability to deliver sport themselves. The program links training for coaching, officiating, running sporting clubs and sporting competitions.”

Adam Goodes (rugby), Bianca Franklin (netball), and Patrick Johnson (sprinter) all serve as ambassadors and their sporting achievements have served as a positive example to indigenous children.

To find out more about sport initiatives in Australia visit the government website