ISRP - INDIGENOUS SPORT AND RECREATION PROGRAM
PROGRAM UPDATE ISSUE 2, OCTOBER 2009 The Department of Health and Ageing has continued its funding for Swimming NT’s Indigenous Sport and Recreation Program. The Program is intended to raise the level of participation within remote communities in mainstream competitive swimming. In addition the ISRP Development Officer (Stephen Hollis) will be working with Royal Life Saving and remote local community members to further support the overall goals of the Program. The first program for 2009 held on Groote Eylandt brought together four remote communities - Groote Island Swimming Carnival competitors Umbakumba, Angurugu, Milyakburra and Alyangula. Approximately 400 plus students remarkable times considering it was a no attended this swimming program (including dive start and they were fully clothed. Alyangula). The program consisted of a six week intensive swimming program. Swimming NT would like to thank... Coordination from two key local figures, Concluding this program Alyangula held their own Kerry Bignall and Amanda Sinclair was school swim meet followed by an inter-community critical to the success of the program. To swim meet between the four communities. This Amanda Sinclair from Alyangula area was the first time an inter-community swim has school for arranging accommodation, flights been held on Groote Eylandt. Carol Bolton and the swim schedule. Kerry Bignell for attended the final carnival and provided some bringing her expertise as the island’s well informal time keeping where several of the known swimming teacher. students from the remote communities posted All the interpreters and remote school principals who supported and participated in the program. Thanks to Gemmido for providing flights for Bickerton Island to Alyangula and also their accommodation needs. Gemco Mine for providing use of the pool and a lifeguard (Brendan) on deck for the entire program. A special thanks to Airnorth and Fly Tiwi for their generous support of the Program’s travel requirements.
Some of the students from Groote Eylandt
Age Group
Boys 9-10 Girls 9-10 Boys 11-12 Girls 11-12 Boys 13 Swimming Carnival Presentation Ceremony Girls 13
Name
Dylan
Times
23.95 21.47
Nelson
20.33 20.62
Jordan Mervin Teala
16.72 17.30 20
Logistics / Challenges / Highlights • Umbakumba were not able to train as they do not have a pool and had to drive 1.5 hours to the program each Friday. • Milyakburra / Bickerton also do not have a pool and had to fly each way every Thursday • Dolphins, dingoes and crocodiles passing by kept everyone entertained. • Swimming NT has been requested to return next year to continue the program. • The significant improvement in students swimming abilities due length of intensive program. • The Walkabout Chef Steve Sunk came to the school and taught the year 10 girls who cooked lunch for everyone that participated i th i l
Competitors times - 25 metres no dive start, most of the older students were clothed.
October/November activities planned October will see Stephen Hollis repeating the Program in Yirrkala. The Program will be a four week program due to the smaller number of participants - approximately 250 students (estimated). Stewart Magill from Yirrkala Area School has been the liaison to co-ordinate the preparation along with Linda Reid from Nhulunbuy Swimming pool. Immediately following Yirrkala there will be a four week Program held on the Tiwi Islands.
Please contact the Indigenous Sports Development Officer, Stephen Hollis on 0439 028 403 or stephen.hollis@nt.swimming.org.au with any queries on the program or the contents of this newsletter.