It has been proven that regular physical activity is a vital factor in reducing major health risks later in life, including diabetes, heart stroke, vascular diseases and hypertension.

Furthermore, the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing recognises that children between the ages of five and 12 years benefit in many ways from being physically active. These benefits can:

• promote healthy growth and development
• develop and improve balance, flexibility and motor skills
• improve cardiovascular fitness
• help achieve and maintain a healthy weight
• improve posture
• provide opportunities to make friends and improve self-esteem
• enhance learning through increased neural activity.

With this in mind, it is concerning to know that an estimated 37 per cent, or one million Australian children, aged between five and 12 years still do not participate in any organised sport.

In 2005, the Australian Government introduced a program that was designed to tackle declining activity levels in children and the decline of physical education in schools.

The Active After-school Communities (AASC) program provides primary school children with access to free sport and structured physical activity programs after school between the hours of 3.00pm and 5.30pm.

2010 research demonstrates that the majority of participating children would be doing something sedentary if they weren’t participating in an AASC program.

Each school term, the program engages around 190,000 children across approximately 3270 schools and after-school care centres around Australia.

The program aims to engage children in physical activity, focusing on traditionally inactive children, and through a positive and fun experience, helps them to develop a love of sport that motivates them to extend their participation in sport.

Deputy General Manager of the AASC program, Kitty Chiller, said the program is a fun, free and safe introduction to sport and provides opportunities for sporting clubs to promote themselves and grow their participation base.

“Over the years, we have developed strong relationships with a range of local sporting clubs offering sports like netball, sailing, bowls, basketball, tennis, softball and rugby, to name a few.”

“We provide a pathway to junior sports, increasing club membership and participation.”

The Australian Sports Commission is currently leading the development of a National Sport and Education Strategy. This is aimed at increasing the role and effectiveness of sport in schools and further boosting the number of children participating in our sporting base. The Strategy will focus on the provision of quality sport and physical education in schools and provide guidance for further enhancing the links between schools and sporting organisations.

Parents and family members can help their child find their nearest sporting club by searching the online club finder at www.ausport.gov.au/findaclub

If you would like more information on the AASC program including how you can become involved as a coach, parent, participant, school, after-school care centre or sporting club, visit: www.ausport.gov.au/aasc or email infoaasc@ausport.gov.au

References

1. Physical Activity in Australia: A Snapshot, 2004-05. Statistics gathered from 2004-05 National Health Survey (NHS) http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4835.0.55.001
2. Australia’s Physical Activity Recommendations for 5-12 year olds, Department of Health and Ageing, 2004 http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/healthpubhlth-strateg-active-recommend.htm
3. Children’s Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, Australia, 2009 http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/ABS@.nsf/Latestproducts/4901.0Main%20Features7Apr%202009?opend ocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4901.0&issue=Apr%202009&num=&view