WSYD Moving Launched
Collective Leisure hosted Western Sydney Moving (WSYD) on 2nd June 2022. A free 3-hour virtual stakeholder event promoting a whole of system well-being approach to reduce physical inactivity in Western Sydney.
57 participants from many parts of the physical activity eco system attended including local and state government, peak bodies, academia, education, disability and the social economy. Spanning the areas of sports and recreation, leisure and health.
The intention of the event was to bring together stakeholders to share perspectives about how physical activity and sport, could be used as a catalyst to address health inequity. Founder and CEO of Collective Leisure David Burns opened the event highlighting health inequity and physical inactivity in Western Sydney and shared the vision for Western Sydney Moving.
The event was a combination of keynote presentations and breakout sessions with the following questions.
Why does moving matter?
What prevents communities being physically active?
Who is most effected from not moving?
What do you think the co-benefits could be?
What assets and capacities do we already have in place?
What would we want to measure?
What goals would be fundamental to a Western Sydney Moving strategy?
Other presenters included:
Professor Bill Bellew, Sydney University spotlighting Whole of Systems Approaches to Physical Activity Policy and Practice in Australia (ASAPa). The highly respected Bill Bellew who has been working across physical activity policy for over 40 years said “Western Sydney Moving shows all the signs of promise I look for in joined up approaches to physical activity. I am excited and honoured on behalf of the University of Sydney to be part of this initiative which has the potential to set a new standard of quality and to generate an example of good practice for other regions and cities to follow”.
Lori Modde, CEO Outdoor NSW & ACT presented on connecting the community to nature to improve physical activity. Stating “What worked yesterday may not necessarily work tomorrow”.
Bryce Alley from Blacktown International Sports Park, Blacktown City Council presented on the new Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST) that’s under construction. With their mission to “inspire everyone to move more, so that everyone lives longer”.
Janine Dawson, Diabetes Prevention Program Manager, Western Sydney Diabetes Alliance presented on Uniting sectors to create a ‘whole of system’ approach. Conveyed “ Health alone can’t fix the diabetes epidemic. We need the whole community to come together to change the environment of Western Sydney”.
Emma George, Associate Professor in Health and Physical Education and Justin Guagliano, Lecturer in Health Promotion, Western Sydney University spotlighted professional sport as a vehicle for health promotion while also addressing challenges in Western Sydney with an overview of current projects.
The dynamic duo encapsuled Western Sydney Moving stating “Sport has the power to empower communities, enhance belonging, and promote health and well-being.
The closing address was delivered by the inspiring Yusra Metwally, Senior Policy and Projects Officer, Western Sydney Community Forum. As the voice of Western Sydney communities.
Reflecting on the event David Burns said “We’ve had some terrific feedback, the energy and enthusiasm at our inaugural event was great to feel. There is a genuine desire for a cross sector collaboration to reduce physical inactivity in Western Sydney. This is just the start of an exciting journey”.
Some feedback from participants.
“Many thanks for organising this. I had no idea what it was going to be like, but I am happy I attended and delighted with the enthusiasm, energy and fantastic resources to move this forward”.
Veena O’Sullivan, Physiotherapist, NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors
“There was an excellent cross-section of organisations at the WSM forum today, and tremendous energy to address inequities in physical activity and related issues in western Sydney. Thank you for mobilising and facilitating all of this. There looks to be many possibilities under the WSM banner, moving forward.”
Ben Smith, Professor of Public Health
(Prevention and Health Promotion) University of Sydney
Program Objectives
Bring together stakeholders to share perspectives about how physical activity and sport, could be used as a catalyst to address health inequity
Develop an initiative that serves to address physical inactivity and health inequity across Western Sydney, around which stakeholders can collaborate, using a whole of systems approach
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