Well Rounded Person - Rural restructuring and the changing geography of competitive sport

Upcoming Sports Events

SafeClub was officially launched on 25th June 2009 with the support of the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation. Over 40 people representing sport from across NSW attended the luncheon launch to hear how SafeClub makes safety easy for community sport. A presentation from SafeClub’s Jane Nethery and Kristy Abbott included an overview of the program and the research evidence while Michelle Hanley from Football NSW covered the benefits of SafeClub from a sport perspective. Sports from across NSW are now signing up to partner with SafeClub to make their sport safer.

If you missed the launch and would like information on SafeClub click here.

Sunshine Coast Launches Girls Rugby League Competition

On Sunday, 10 May, ARL Development and the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League will launch their inaugural U15's and U17s Girls Competition at the Beerwah Bulldogs JRL (Roberst Road, Beerwah) between 10am and midday. The Launch will involve Under 15 teams from Caboolture, Bribie Island, Coolum and Beerwah whilst the Under 17s will involve Nambour, Bribie Island and Beerwah.

Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience

Inspiring Youth Cricketer Jack Manning-Bancroft has helped University of Sydney Students get underway a mentoring program linking Indigenous year 9 and 10 school students from with mentors from across all university faculties. The underlying philosophy of AIME is to empower young indigenous people through positive role modelling and relationships, building self esteem and resilience, encouraging schoolattendance and progression to tertiary education.

Refugee Youth Soccer Development Program

This innovative program seeks to assist young refugees in their immigration and integration to Australia through sport. Check out their website for more information.

Upcoming Research

The third round of focus groups and fieldwork has been completed and a General Summary is being collated. Thanks to The Southport School, AB Paterson College, Rockhampton Girls Grammar School, Sapphire Coast Anglican College, Wagga Wagga Christian College, Al-Faisal College Auburn, Football United and the Burwood and Mosman Cubs for their participation. Preparation for further focus groups with parents, coaches and PDHPE teachers is underway.

Rural restructuring and the changing geography of competitive sport

The geography of sport has received relatively liule auention from those interested in processes of rural social and economic change. This is despite the important role that sport plays in the structure of rural communities and regions. In addition to the obvious health benefits associated with physical activity, sport contributes to community identity and provides opportunities for social interaction. There is, however, considerable evidence to suggest that processes of restructuring are having direct impacts on sport in rural areas. Drawing on a case study from rural western Australia, this paper argues that
economic adjustment in the farming and business sectors, service withdrawal, and population decline are just some of the changes undermining the viability of sporting clubs in rural areas. W, suggest that while sporting clubs have tended to be resilient in the face of restructuring, it is also clear that one of the outcomes is a changing geography of Sport in declining rural areas" Tonts, Matthew and Atherley, Kim. (2005) Rural restructuring and the changing geography of competitive sport, Australian Geographer, v.36, no.2, (125)-144.

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