Telephone:
+61 (03) 5222 3911
Fax:
+61 (03) 5229 0640
Postal address:
Sports House (Skilled Stadium)
370 Moorabool St,
Geelong Vic, 3220
Email:
lnetwork@leisurenetworks.org
Community Sport Industry (C.S.I) Project
Click Here for C.S.I Current Projects
With the declining number of Australians participating in organised sport, clubs and associations need to adopt new ways of attracting club members in order to survive. It has also been recognised that there are a number of population groups within the community (older adults, women, people with a disability, CALD communities) are less likely to be members of sporting organisations.
These groups face common barriers to playing sport, including transport, support, community attitudes, cultural and linguistic diversity, costs, physical access, staff and volunteer skills and lack of promotion or knowledge. Overcoming such barriers are issues that need to be addressed by sporting clubs and the health sector to keep encouraging and offering accessible recreational programs.
Community Sport Industry (CSI) develops community based physical activity programs that are primarily conducted in local sporting settings or venues. CSI is an organised and structured sport and recreation program that is able to respond to the raised expectations that our community marketing campaigns have produced.
Leisure Networks will work with local clubs and associations in order to address a set of minimum standards that clubs are expected to meet as key deliverer’s of Community Sport Industry providers. In meeting a ‘Community Sport Industry Standard’, a degree of confidence can be gained when referring people to activities in the knowledge that they are participating in a safe environment, by suitable trained and qualified coaches.
CSI will encourage the target audience (through building skills and confidence) to take the next step into mainstream sport through sporting clubs and associations. The emphasis of the program itself is that people can continue to enjoy participating in the organised activity, but can also join or be introduced to the regular activities of the sporting club or association. The club or organisation can also use the organised programs as a means of encouraging new participants in their sport.
Objectives
1.1 To enable community sport providers to offer accessible and
affordable exercise programs.
1.2 To encourage participants to enter mainstream sporting club
activities.
1.3 Increase and build participants confidence and skills to access
mainstream sports within a club/association environment.
Strategies
1.1.1 Promote accessibility for people from key target population
groups.
1.1.2 Ensure activities will be held at local recreational settings
(sporting clubs/associations)
1.1.3 Participants will experience a safe learning and social environment
whilst developing new skills.
1.1.4 Ensure qualified, skilled and appropriately trained coaches
be employed to work with participants.
Benefits for Sporting Clubs
• Opportunity to increase participant numbers
• Opportunity to increase volunteer numbers
• Potential to attract new sponsors
• Opportunities for more members
• Increased use of facilities during downtimes
• Increased revenue
• Provision of equipment for club use
• Free training for coaches
• Qualified coaches may further engage in the club on a more
regular basis
• Additional links to potential funding sources
• Better relationships with local government authority
• Positive community image
• Connection with different groups within the community
Benefits to Participants
• Access to pre-developed, inclusive programs
• Potential improvements in social skills and confidence
• Potential to access mainstream sports/activities
• Potential to improve skill base
• Access to recreational opportunities in a safe and supportive
environment
• Low-cost activities
• Participation opportunities with other individuals from
similar backgrounds eg. CALD communities, women, people with a disability
etc.
CSI has already delivered activities such as cricket, softball, badminton, football, netball, soccer, hockey, lawn bowls, basketball, croquet and tennis. Leisure Networks will endeavour to expand the CSI activities based on the requests of individuals, groups and agencies.
CSI IS THE MECHANISM FOR LINKING PEOPLE INTO SPORTING CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
If you have any questions relating to Community Sport Industry,
or wish to become involved in a program either as a participant
or as a club/coach please contact Brooke Connolly on 5224 9925 or
email brooke@leisurenetworks.org
