SF newsletter March 09.pub

‘Sport & Recreation for All’ This Issue... Sport On Anzac Day 1 SPORT ON ANZAC DAY This year Anzac Day falls on a Saturday and many sporting organisations are unsure about whether they can hold sporting events. The Anzac Day Act 1960 prohibits playing of sport on Anzac Day where an admission fee is charged or donations are sought without prior approval of the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs. The requirements of the Anzac Day Act, which must be observed, are outlined below: • Written approval from the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, is required for any sporting event to which an admission fee is charged or a donation sought. • No sporting event, where an admission fee is charged or a donation is sought, can commence before 1.00 p.m. on Anzac Day. • If other events eg junior matches are to take place before the main sporting event, for which the Minister’s approval is being sought, then no fee or admission can be charged or donation sought for the main game until the other activities have concluded. • A portion of the net profit earned by a sporting event approved by the Minister needs to be paid into the Anzac Day Proceeds Fund, or another approved Patriotic Fund. • A detailed statement setting out all receipts and expenditures in connection with sporting events held on Anzac Day should be submitted to the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs within two months of Anzac Day. If your Association/Club intends to conduct any matches in Melbourne within 50kms of the Melbourne G.P.O. on Anzac Day, it may wish to consult with the Returned Services League, Melbourne, on telephone number (03) 9655 5555 with a view to reaching agreement on the amount of donation which should be paid to the Anzac Day Proceeds Fund. If a country association/club wishes to conduct matches it should consult with the local R.S.L. Sub-Branch to determine the amount of the donation and the name of the Local Patriotic Fund to which the donation will be paid. Associations or clubs should then apply to the Minister for his approval and include details in their application of the agreed donation and name of the Fund to which the donation will be paid. Should you have any further enquires on this matter, please contact Sport and Recreation Victoria on telephone (03) 9208 3422. Administrator of the Year Award 2 –4 Good Sports Program 5 Southside Netball 5 Good Sports Program Regional Award 6 Access for All Abilities 7 Volunteer Profile 7 Training & Education 8 Funding Opportunities 9—11 Community Noticeboard 11 SportsLink 12 Case Study 13 Premiers Active Families Challenge 14 Personality Profile 15 Calendar of Events 16 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ 2009 Sports Focus ‘Administrator of the Year’ Award Finalists Announced One finalist from each Local Government Authority has been chosen for the 2009 Sports Focus ‘Administrator of the Year’ Award. The following finalists will be presented at The Advertiser Southern Cross TEN Sport Star of the Year Awards night on Friday 13th March 2009, with the overall winner being announced during the Award Ceremony. George Thompson – Loddon Shire : For contributions to Calivil United Football Club, Northern United Football Club and Raywood Recreation Reserve. George Thompson is a fine example of a volunteer dedicated to his local sporting community. From 1964 to 1996 George fulfilled the role of Trainer for the Northern United Football Club. He was also interleague Trainer for ten years during this period. When Northern United amalgamated with Calivil he continued in this role putting his invaluable knowledge to good use. He continues in this role today as Trainer for Calivil United Football. George has served on the Committees of both of these clubs in various roles, for over 43 years. A huge supporter of junior football, he has offered his services in various roles to ensure that keen youngsters get to play the great game of football. George can be credited with the successful establishment of the Auskick program to benefit local children. George has also been President of the Raywood Cricket Club for 5 years. George also works diligently to ensure the Raywood Recreation Reserve is well presented and maintained for the community and football and cricket clubs who use the facility. George held the position of President of the Raywood Recreation Reserve Committee for 24 years. At 72 years of age, George is deserving of the recognition for his significant contribution to local sporting clubs, facilities and the community that he loves. Michael Richardson – Macedon Ranges Shire : For contributions to Romsey Cricket Club. Michael Richardson is an amazing individual whose dedication to the sport of cricket and township of Romsey culminates in him being the driving force behind the development of the Romsey Cricket Club. Currently Michael is Club President, Junior Program Coordinator, Milo Cricket Program Coordinator – not to mention the club’s leading slow bowler. Michael can be credited with turning the Romsey Cricket Club around, from a ‘Boys Club’ culture to a ‘Family Club’. In five years Michael has taken the club from having only 35 juniors to an incredible 120 juniors in the 2008-09 season - consisting of 5 junior teams and 45 Milo Cricket kids. Michael approached Cricket Victoria to approve the establishment of the Milo Have-a-Go Program which kick-started a thriving program for the local community. Expanding the club in such a manner has provided many challenges, with the lack of grounds threatening the development of the game. Michael’s determination and ingenuity saw him work tirelessly to develop partnerships with the local school and local winery, both of which had facilities available on the weekends. These facilities are now used every weekend allowing more local players to take the field. Michael’s contribution to junior sport within Romsey is also demonstrated through his role as a junior football coach with the local club. The Romsey Cricket Club is honoured to have someone who has worked tirelessly not only to help the Club survive, but who has made it thrive. 2 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ Shirley Amy – Mount Alexander Shire : For contributions to Castlemaine Cycling Club. Shirley Amy has been the driving force behind the rebuilding of the Castlemaine Cycling Club. When the Club was on the verge of folding 5 years ago, Shirley stepped up and took over as Secretary and has created a thriving and successful community sporting club. Membership numbers have tripled and are still growing, after Shirley set about improving the structure and management of the Club Committee and building the profile of the sport within the community. The Club is now experiencing the highest membership in its 30 year history. Small, but significant, changes were made such as launching a new logo, and club uniform. This helped build morale and develop the sense of unity and belonging amongst club members – creating this sense of club has been critical in the building process. Running a number of Come and Try Days opened the sport up to the community, increasing participation from people of all ages and abilities and encouraging family participation. The Club is now in a position where it hosts a large number of Open Events, bringing Country and Metropolitan Road Titles, Masters and Hand Cycling State Titles, Criteriums and a wide range of other events to the community. The community now has a sporting club they can be proud of, supported by one person with a vision and a passion for cycling. Shirley has turned the Club around all whilst continuing to follow her own cycling goals by representing Australia, winning State, National and World events and setting Masters Australian and World records on the track. Carmen Dodman – Shire of Campaspe : For contributions to Rochester Kart Club. Carmen Dodman’s dedication to the sport of Karting has seen her extend her assistance to the Rochester Club above and beyond the call of duty – all spurred on by her sons’ passion for the sport. Carmen currently fills the role of Race Secretary but has stepped in and taken on the huge task of Club Secretary as the position was recently left vacant. Carmen not only keeps up with the day-to-day administration of the club but she has taken extra steps to benefit the club. Carmen assisted in the writing of a submission to the Victorian Karting Association to raise funds to have the track upgraded allowing the Club to host ‘Open’ race meetings. The Club now hosts competitors from all over the State. Carmen helped establish the Club’s Inaugural Open Meeting in 2006 which entailed all aspects of event management. Since 2006 Carmen has continued to support the Club is hosting 5 further Open events. Being a small country club means that race events often rely on assistance from officials from other clubs. In return Carmen is always readily available to provide assistance to other Karting clubs whenever needed. In making this sacrifice it is very rare that Carmen ever gets to watch her own children race. Carmen’s dedication to the Rochester Kart Club is an inspiration. 3 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ Mark Bamford – City of Greater Bendigo : For contributions to Bendigo District Golf Association. As Secretary, Junior Development Coordinator, Chairperson Pennant Committee, Country Week Committee member and Board Member of the Victorian Golf Association; Mark Bamford has enthusiastically set about introducing a new generation of golfers to the sport. Identifying a marked decline in membership across the twenty-five (25) clubs of the Bendigo District Golf Association, Mark initiated the establishment of a Junior Support and Coordinator Group to develop and strengthen programs to attract junior golfers. In tackling this decline in membership, Mark identified that much of the problem was due to the changing lifestyles of families and the lack of junior golf activities supported by clubs to include family participation. Mark set about establishing new programs to attract junior golfers and developing pathways to give them the opportunity to develop their skills. Mark would personally transport many of these junior golfers across the State to allow them to be exposed to differing levels of competitions. This pathway was further enhanced by the establishment of two major events for beginner golfers during 2008. The region now has 150 identified junior golfers ready to progress to club membership – a marked difference from the 20 juniors back in 2007. This progression to club membership will be a focus for Mark in 2009, due to a school challenge being introduced in 2008, there is now over 20 schools who will undertake a program with local clubs this year. Mark has been able to achieve all of this whilst managing to hold down a full time job and raising a young family, which would not have been possible without the understanding and support of his wife and family, with his commitments taking up most weekends, many hours after work and travel all over the State. Joan Hartley – Central Goldfields Shire : For contributions to Maryborough Netball Association. According to the Maryborough Netball Association, Joan Hartley is a one-in-a-million person who is always doing things for others. Joan has taken on many roles within the Maryborough Netball Association over the years including Secretary, Coach, Umpire, Team Manager and has voluntarily taken on the role of Canteen Convenor for 28 years. Examples of Joan’s incredible dedication to Maryborough Netball are many. More often than not, Joan will travel to Melbourne on a Friday night to watch her beloved Essendon Bombers play, then after driving home will begin – at 1.30am – to make soup, sandwiches and slices to sell in the canteen the next day. She will be in stocking the canteen fridges at 7.30am the next morning, and then be cleaning the clubroom toilets at 5pm. Joan organises, attends and runs the canteen and catering for various local community events all for the Maryborough Netball Association Canteen Committee. She regularly contributes many thousands of dollars from the Canteen Committee to the General Committee and without this valuable financial contribution the Association would not survive. Joan is approaching 70 years young and for over 40 years has been involved in netball, church, schools and charities around the Maryborough community – all whilst raising four children and holding a full-time job. Joan does all this and more without fanfare and for the betterment of Netball or charity. Her contribution to the Maryborough Netball Association and the Maryborough Community cannot be more highly applauded. A special Administrator of the Year Award feature can be seen in the next Sports Focus newsletter edition 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au 4 ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ Good Sports Program The Good Sports Program is a FREE program designed to assist clubs with the responsible management of alcohol. Displaying the Good Sports logo sends an important message to club members & the community. It confirms that the club promotes a responsible attitude towards alcohol and provides a safe environment for players, families & supporters. There are now more than 1300 clubs registered in the Program within Victoria. Congratulations to the following clubs who have recently achieved accreditation within the Good Sports Program: Colbinabbin Football Club – Level 1 Castlemaine Football Netball Club – Level 1 Maryborough Football Netball Club – Level 1 Axe Creek Cricket Club – Level 2 We congratulate them on their efforts to promote a safe sporting environment to the community. Is your club interested in joining the Good Sports Program? Want to learn more about how your club can manage alcohol responsibly in order to create a viable and friendly environment? For more information about the program contact Lauren Riley at Sports Focus on 5442 3101 or via email at laurenr@sportsfocus.com.au. Southside Netballers Inc. welcome you to the upcoming netball season and invite you to join us, the Premier Club in 2009 Training for the 2009 season commences at the Golden City Netball Association, Marong Rd. Training times for ALL players will be from 6.15 - 7.30pm. Please note that Southside Netballers do not directly recruit, have selection trials, or practice exclusivity. Southside Netballers take pride in catering for all ages and skill levels, hence, we welcome ALL Players. Southside Netballers are the only club in Bendigo to support a special needs team. Players can be male or female, attend any school or workplace, have an intellectual and/or a physical disability and be of at least 11 years of age. Should you require any further information please feel free to contact either of us and we would be more than happy to discuss joining our club with you. Emily Gartside—Head Coach 0448477366 Sara Gartside-Fletcher—Administration Officer 0409542029 Email: southsidenetballers@bigpond.com 5 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ Marong Football Netball Club announced as Bendigo Regional Good Sports Club of the Year Marong Football Netball Club has been selected as Good Sports Regional Club of the Year for 2008 for the Bendigo Region. Now, in its fourth year, the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) introduced the Good Sports Awards to further acknowledge and celebrate the significant achievements of community sporting clubs in Victoria. A total of 7 Regional winners were selected from across Victoria. From the seven Regional winners, 2 were short-listed with the overall winner – Swan Hill Football Club – being announced at a gala evening in December. Being selected as a finalist rewards the Club for their commitment to the program and for their efforts in facilitating cultural change in their clubs, and in doing so making their clubs more welcoming and community focussed. Marong Football Netball Club joined the Good Sports Program in 2003 and is currently a Level 2 accredited club. In an effort to make the Club a more welcoming and healthy environment, they have held Responsible Serving of Alcohol courses to train members, adopted safe transport and smoke free policies, set-up a designated driver arrangement, ensure meals are available at all club events and have invited the local Police to the Club to educate members about drugs and alcohol. The Club are being proactive and striving to be a better club to benefit the whole community. Club spokesperson, Maxine Parlby said “Being part of the Good Sports Program has given us direction and support, to implement change in a society where alcohol has become a huge issue”. The Good Sports Program aims to reduce alcohol related harms, increase the viability of sport clubs and improve the range and quality of sports options available in the community. It is the first nationwide alcohol management program of its kind and was developed following research conducted by the ADF that showed introducing responsible alcohol management policies, clubs were able to improve membership and enhance viability. For further information on how your sports club can get involved in the Good Sports Program contact local Community Partner, Lauren Riley at Sports Focus on 5442 3101. 6 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ Does your club need more volunteers? Does your club provide opportunities for people of all abilities to volunteer? It is important to recognise that people with a disability can make a valuable contribution to your sporting club. There are increasing numbers of people with a disability who are looking for ways to engage with the community and be more socially active. So why not identify ways to include them within your sporting club as an active volunteer. People with a disability volunteer for the same reason as everyone else. They volunteer to develop new skills, meet people, to contribute to the community and to build self-confidence. Some of the benefits to a sporting club who involve people with a disability in their volunteering program are: • Development of a more inclusive and accessible club for the wider community; • Increased awareness of the needs of people with a disability; • More assistance with clubs everyday tasks; • Greater diversity of member’s skills and experiences; • People with a disability may be encouraged to involve their parents or friends, all of whom may be potential future members. Let Sports Focus know on 5442 3101 if your club has volunteer positions available you would like us to promote on your behalf. Volunteer Profile Name: Damien Nowell Volunteers with: White Hills Cricket Club How long have you been volunteering with White Hills Cricket club for? I have been volunteering for a couple of years now, but I have been playing with the club since I was 5 or 6. I am a medium pace bowler. What do you like about volunteering and why do you volunteer? Its fun to volunteer and I do it for the experience. I hope that one day I will be able to do the grounds keeping on my own and be in charge. What sort of jobs do you do at the club? I roll the pitch, mark the lines, mow the grass, water the pitch, clear rubbish bins, vacuum the clubrooms and put out the witches hats for the boundary lines. I’m at the club on my days off work (Tuesday and Thursday) and every Saturday. Who’s your favourite Australian Cricket player? Adam Gilchrist former Australian wicket keeper. What other sports are you involved in? I play ten pin bowling every fortnight. Age: 22 ATTENTION ALL SPORT & RECREATION ORGANISATIONS Would you like support in ensuring your organisation is inclusive? • • Would you like to improve the opportunities for people with a disability to participate in your sport? Do you have any questions about developing your organisation capacity for inclusion? Why not give Sports Focus a call on (03) 5442 3101 or via email: admin@sportsfocus.com.au and we will endeavour to help you with the important task of providing opportunities or everyone. 7 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ TRAINING & EDUCATION Course Name Successful Grant Writing Workshop Event Date March 16 Venue Woodend Contact Details Gaynor Atkin Ph: 5422 0247 E: g.atkin@macedonranges.vic.gov.au Sports Medicine Australia Ph: 9674 8777 E: ssp@vic.sma.org.au Sports Medicine Australia Ph: 9674 8777 E: ssp@vic.sma.org.au Sports Focus Ph: 5442 3101 E: admin@sportsfocus.com.au Department of Justice Ph: 1300 652 879 www.justice.vic.gov.au/ workingwithchildren Department of Justice Ph: 1300 652 879 www.justice.vic.gov.au/ workingwithchildren Sports Medicine Australia Ph: 9674 8777 E: ssp@vic.sma.org.au Sports Focus Ph: 5442 3101 E: admin@sportsfocus.com.au Sports Focus Ph: 5442 3101 E: admin@sportsfocus.com.au Sports Focus Ph: 5442 3101 E: admin@sportsfocus.com.au 8 Sports Trainer Evening (including CPR, taping & nutrition workshop) March 17 Bendigo Advanced Taping Course March 18 Bendigo Responsible Serving of Alcohol Course March 23 Castlemaine Working with Children Information Session March 24 Echuca Working with Children Information Session March 30 Bendigo Level 1 Sports Trainers Course April 4-5 Echuca Club Liquor Licence Information Session April 6 Bendigo ParticipACTION Day Information Session—1 April 28th Bendigo ParticipACTION Day Information Session—2 May 4th Bendigo 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Fresh Food Kids Community Grant 2009 Closes 6 April 2009 Applications for the 2009 Woolworths Community Grants program are now open. To give your organisation the opportunity to receive up to $5,000 in funding you must read and accept the terms and conditions accessible via the link below and fill out an application online. A few things to note: • Only one application per organisation will be accepted. • Community Grants will not be provided for adult activity, facility or playground upgrades, public works programs, supervision fees, coaching fees or travel expenses. • Your organisation must have an operating bank account set up in your organisation's name. You will be asked to include the bank account name in the application form. • • • Applications can only be submitted using the online application form. To apply you must have your organisation's details and a proposal for how the grant will be used. Applications close 11.59pm Monday April 6th 2009. For further information go to: www.freshfoodkids.com.au/community/community-grants/apply/ The Country Action Grants Scheme (CAGS) Closes 16 April 2009 These grants increase the capacity of grassroots sport and recreation organisations in regional and rural Victoria. Up to $5000 is available to clubs, organisations and community groups who deliver sport and recreation in rural and regional Victoria. The types of projects that might be funded include: • Initiatives to improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of organisations; • Initiatives to improve the skills of club members through providing training for coaches and officials, administration staff and management committee members (funding is not available for training courses to enhance the physical skills of participants); Initiatives to increase community participation by providing accessible sport and active recreation opportunities. Priority will be given to projects involving people with a disability, women, indigenous people, school-aged children, culturally and linguistically diverse people and older adults. • Guidelines and full details are available by visiting www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 366 356. 9 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Local Sporting Champions Program - Closes Quarterly The Local Sporting Champions program is an Australian Government initiative designed to provide financial assistance for junior sportsmen and women towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing at an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed state or national sporting competition. Grants are available to young people between the ages of 12 & 18 who need to travel more the 250km (return). Grants of up to $500 for individuals and up to $3000 for successful team applications. Applications are open all year round and are assessed quarterly. Application forms and eligibility criteria are available at: Local Sporting Champions Program - Individual Application www.secure.ausport.gov.au/forms/local_sporting_champions_grant_individuals Local Sporting Champions Program - Team Application www.secure.ausport.gov.au/forms/local_sporting_champions_grant_teams City of Greater Bendigo Community Grant Funding Program Closes 27 March 2009 The Community Grant Funding Program offers financial support up to $3000 to non-profit community organizations, groups and associations for projects, events, exhibitions and/or performance which contribute to the municipality, making it a vibrant and stimulating place for people to live, work and visit. The Community Grants will provide funding in the following categories: • Cultural; • Environmental Sustainability; • Recreation; • Community Events; • Community Assistance. Application forms are available at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au or contact The City of Greater Bendigo on (03) 5434 6000. Loddon Shire Council Community Grants Scheme 2008 / 09 Closes 30 May 2009 The Loddon Shire Council’s Community Grants Scheme aims to assist organisations to develop facilities, opportunities and programs in order to offer the community greater participation and access. Funding is on a dollar for dollar basis with the Council contribution not exceeding $5000. Application forms are available by contacting the Loddon Shire Council on 5494 1200. 10 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Victorian Volunteer Small Grants — Bushfire Relief 2009 On-Going Victorian Volunteer Small Grants—Bushfire Relief 2009 aims to provide practical help to volunteers and local community organisations providing volunteer emergency relief in fire-affected communities. Grants of up to $5000 are available to not-for-profit community organisations to help ease the burden on individual volunteers, and recruit additional volunteers across Victorian fire-effected areas. Examples of projects that might be funded include: • • • • Replacement of essential equipment destroyed in the fires; Training for volunteers to assist them to identify the emerging needs of communities effected by the fires; Covering out-of-pocket expenses of volunteers working over extended periods including travel, telephone, food and accommodation costs and other reasonable expenses; Development of a recruitment and promotion plan to attract new volunteers, including skilled and pro bono volunteers. Applications can be submitted at any time, with the Department assessing applications within one month. Application forms can be obtained from: http://www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au/web18/dvcgrants.nsf/AllDocs/ FD65E20E5C457C1FCA257559002743D8 COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD LEARN TO ICE SKATE IN BENDIGO The Ice Skating Club of Bendigo are now taking enrolments for the ‘Aussie Skate Lesson’. • • This is your opportunity to experience the thrill of ice skating at our very own ice rink. Professional Coaches are on hand to teach you the basic and cool moves and grooves on ice. Friday after-school : 4pm—6pm session Sunday early bird : 8.30am—10.30am session **Call Jo on 5446 8386 or 0413 325 469 to reserve your place** www.iscb.org.au 11 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ RESOURCES Sports Focus in association with Regional Sports Network Victoria Inc. Announce the new website is coming! Sportslink is a communication tool your club can’t afford to be without, an essential promotional and development resource accessible to all clubs, and best of all it’s absolutely FREE. The new Sportslink website will be launched in May 2009 and will include club webpage functionality and new interactive resources which will allow your club access to the latest industry developmental tools and programs. Clubs and community groups are often telling us that they find it hard to market their activities to the broader community and also have limited time to find the sort of support they need to keep groups operating to their full potential. We believe that www.sportslink.org.au can assist in alleviating these issues. The new website is coming in 2009! Sportslink is endorsed by DPCD and your regional local government authorities: 12 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ CASE STUDY Recruiting and Retaining Junior Players Kerang Lawn Tennis Club Kerang Lawn Tennis Club had been running junior tennis on Saturday morning’s for several years. As junior participation numbers began to drop, the club became aware that another sport was playing on Saturday afternoons, making it difficult for juniors to play both sports. With this threat, the club decided to make some changes to the structure of their Saturday junior tennis competition by asking parents, players and members their thoughts on how they would like to see the competition run going forward. A survey was distributed at the end of the season to ensure any changes could be made in time for the following season. The results showed a preference to move the junior competition to Friday nights. With this change, the number of junior players went from approximately 55 members to approximately 80 junior players. From here the club has now made Friday nights a family social night and offer a cheap barbeque to ensure dinner is available for families. This is what one club decided to do to encourage more junior players. This may not necessarily be what your club needs however it is strongly recommend that you continue to ask club members, juniors, families and seniors what it is that your club could do to encourage them to maintain their involvement within the club. Encouraging change and ensuring club members needs are heard and catered for could also encourage new members to join your club. If your club is interested in finding out how to recruit and retain new participants please contact Sports Focus on (03) 5442 3101 or via email admin@sportsfocus.com.au 13 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ PREMIER’S ACTIVE FAMILIES CHALLENGE 8 March – 19 April 2009 About the Challenge The Premier’s Active Families Challenge is a program run by the Victorian Government as part of the ‘Go for your life’ initiative, to improve the physical activity, health and wellbeing of Victorian families. The first year of the Challenge was a huge success with tens of thousands of Victorians participating. The program provides an opportunity for families to participate in an inclusive and achievable physical activity Challenge that is fun, easy, accessible and worthwhile. To complete the Challenge, families need to participate in 30 minutes of physical activity for at least 30 days between 8 March and 19 April 2009. Participants can complete the 30 minutes of activity on their own or as a family. Participation in the Challenge is free and available to people across the State. Families who register to participate will be supported with information about healthy eating, information about ways to get active, events and incentives. Registrations are now open. Families can register through the website at goforyourlife.vic.gov.au, or by phone on 1300 73 98 99. Win prizes for your sport by inspiring Victorian families Your sport and associated clubs could win up to $3,000 worth of sports equipment. Tell us in 100 words or less what you’ve done to encourage families to get active during the Challenge and you could win the first prize of $3,000 or second prize of $1,500 worth of sports equipment. Send your story to goforyourlife@dhs.vic.gov.au by 19 April 2009. How to get involved There’s a range of ways you can get involved and encourage registration in the Challenge: • • • Organising your own local community sports event, activities or free ‘come and try’ days during the Challenge and promoting them through your clubs and networks, Promote the Challenge on your website including a link to the Challenge registration page. Contact: goforyourlife@dhs.vic.gov.au for a copy of the Challenge logo in any design file, Email the ‘Go for your life’ team goforyourlife@dhs.vic.gov.au with the number of registration forms and posters you require. Additional collateral items can be provided on request to encourage registration, these include Challenge branded drink bottles and beach balls. How the Challenge can support your sporting club: • • • Place your local events and clubs on the ‘Go for your life’ events calendar and sports directory at: goforyourlife.vic.gov.au this can be done at anytime by filling an online form on the site. Promote your local events through the Challenge participant weekly e-bulletin. Go in the draw to win up to $3,000 worth of sporting equipment. For further information contact Go for your life at goforyourlife@dhs.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 73 98 99. 14 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ Sports Focus Board Member Profile - Sean McCann Name: Sean McCann Occupation: Teacher at Pyramid Hill College What would be your ideal job? A full time job watching cricket Family: Married to Trish with a baby on the way What is your personal involvement in Sport and Physical Activity? Play cricket for Strathdale Maristians and do the running for Castlemaine Football Club. What is your role at Sports Focus and how long have you been involved? I was involved in the Centre State Games in 1995/96 and have been a Board member since late 2006. What is your most memorable personal sporting memory? BDCA Cricket premiership 1994/95 What is your most memorable elite athlete or team sporting performance? Cathy Freeman at the Sydney Olympics winning Gold What do you consider to be the major sporting issue that confronts the Loddon Campaspe Region? I think water is the major issue which confronts organisations in the region. If you were granted three wishes what would they be? Good health for my family, happiness and a Western Bulldogs Premiership would be nice. What is your most embarrassing moment? I try to forget the many! Who is your sporting hero? Brad Johnson CALENDAR OF EVENTS Would you like to promote your organisation’s next event / activity? If your organisation has an event that you would like promoted on our website and in our next newsletter in June 2009, please send the information to: Sports Focus, 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550, fax: to 5442 3878 or e-mail to admin@sportsfocus.com.au 15 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au ‘Sport & Recreation for All’ CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 2009 Organisation Boort Lawn Tennis Club Event Name Loddon Campaspe Region 2008/09 Junior Masters Series Tournament 5 Event Date March 22 Contact Details Alister McDougal Ph: 5455 2595 E: ahvmcd@bigpond.net.au Sally Keeble Ph: 5455 2349 Peter Galvin Ph: 5446 6422 E: pgalvin@impulse.net.au Peter Galvin Ph: 5446 6422 E: pgalvin@impulse.net.au Leanne Browell Ph: 0400 058 445 E: info@iscb.org.au Leanne Muns Ph: 0414 825 847 E: muns@aapt.net.au Bendigo Orienteers The Street / Park Series March 18 & 25 Bendigo Orienteers The Local Bushland Series March 21 & 28 Ice Skating Club of Bendigo Skate Bendigo March 28 Falcons Baseball Club Come and Try Day March 29 April 2009 Organisation Relay for Life Event Name Relay for Life—Bendigo Event Date April 3—4 Contact Details Gail Robertson Ph: 1300 65 65 85 E: bendigo@relayforlife.org.au Peter Galvin Ph: 5446 6422 E: pgalvin@impulse.net.au Bendigo Orienteers Saturday Series April 4 & 18 May 2009 Organisation Pedestrian Council of Australia Basketball Victoria Country Council Victorian Country Tennis Association MS Australia Event Name Event Date Contact Details Pedestrian Council of Australia Ph: 9968 4544 E: walking@walk.com.au Candice Hofton Ph: 5440 6303 E: candice@netcon.net.au Pat Gilchrist Ph: 03 5345 2926 E: vctaadmin@bigpond.com Jon Adams Ph: 9845 2840 E: jadams@mssociety.com.au Walk Safely to School Day May 2 Basketball Division State Championships VCTA Regional Tournament Bendigo Wellness Day 2/3 May 3—4 May 4 May 17 DISCLAIMER *The information contained in this newsletter has been collected by Sports Focus with every effort made to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the information for the following Shires: Mount Alexander Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, Loddon Shire, Shire of Campaspe, Central Goldfields Shire and City of 16 Greater Bendigo. If found otherwise please contact Sports Focus. 14 Nolan Street, Bendigo 3550 · admin@sportsfocus.com.au Ph: 5442 3101 · Fax: 5442 3878 · www.sportsfocus.com.au