Sports Mentoring Program
“It’s been awesome to watch the young adults step out of their comfort zones and grow over the course of the program. Their knowledge and coaching skills became stronger and I’m impressed by how much they remembered when quizzed each week. We have gained lots of insight which will be used to reflect and improve.”
Samantha Loveridge:
Collective Leisure Social Change Manager
Training & Employment
Collective Leisure partnered with Auburn Youth Centre to deliver an inaugural Sports Mentoring Program, designed to improve the physical health and well-being of young adults from CALD communities.
This is a holistic, sports-based mentoring program that develops leadership skills - creating employment pathways for the participants. It brings together the Auburn Youth Centre, Australian College of Physical Education, TAFE NSW, Austswim and other partners.
The program is co-designed with participants, to improve the physical health and well-being of the young adults from the Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community, whilst providing qualifications, leadership skills and employment pathways in the sport and leisure industry. It began with an initial focus group, including potential participants and local youth champions.
The program was hampered by the COVID lockdowns, so we had to restart the program several times. During this time we pivoted our delivery online to stay connected with participants. Despite this, over the last 12 weeks we gained momentum. Condensing the program to deliver great outcomes.
Fourteen participants aged 15 - 25 years attended a weekly session at Auburn Youth Centre. The group of young adults were from a range of diverse backgrounds from hard to reach, hardly reached and underserved CALD communities.
Participants came from partnerships with local schools: Granville South High School, Sydney Secondary College, Leichhardt and Parramatta High School. They were identified as disengaged but with interest in sport and therefore could benefit from the program.
The sessions were designed to educate on a number of topics from the Collective Leisure wheel of well-being such as purpose, nourishment, environment and growth. Combined with a range of physical activity and sports such as rugby, soccer, basketball and Volleyball; with Volleyball NSW delivering a clinic. All designed to provide participants with knowledge, communication, decision-making and leadership skills, as well as teach teamwork.
The program also included an Introduction to Fitness course led by TAFE NSW. Activities included the bleep test and fitness training, skeleton building, food packaging analysis and meal planning and coaching principles such as session planning and delivery.
In addition participants gained First Aid and CPR qualifications, with 3 participants gaining their AUSTSWIM Teacher of swimming and Water Safety Course.
It was evident that the group enjoyed the program by their regular attendance despite COVID lockdowns and breaks during the school holidays. Their confidence grew each week and so did their connection.
The project was funded through NSW Communities and Justice, Youth Opportunities Fund.
Feedback from participants:
“Before I joined I was very confused about what to do but now I feel like I have a path in life. I feel like I have skills I can use for University and a job. I’ve really enjoyed the program and making new friends.” Participant, Parramatta High School. The Sports Mentoring Program has been good. It will help me to coach others.”
Participant, Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt.
“I’ve enjoyed the content from the Sports Mentoring Program and will use it to coach myself and others. If you’re into sport you should join the program because it’s actually very fun. Thank you for teaching us.”
Participant, Granville South School.
“I have enjoyed the sport, food and making new friends. I have learnt coaching skills, First Aid and CPR and will use these skills to help others.”
Participant, Granville South School.
Feedback from schools:
“Thank you to David, Samantha and the team at Collective Leisure for giving students at Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt the opportunity to be a part of the Sports Mentoring Program. This program delivered in so many ways and helped re-engage our students who participated using physical activity as the catalyst for change. Specifically, this program really increased the student's motivation towards learning, and this was evident in the improved attendance of participants.”
Anthony Brien, Careers and Transition Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt.
Program Objectives
Partner with young people to deliver a youth-led and youth-driven community project.
To create training and employment opportunities within the health and leisure industry, whilst improving the health and well-being of the participants and their communities.
Improve young people’s access to and inclusion in community activities through sport and physical activity.
Provide young people with knowledge and skills to strengthen their ability to participate in their local community such as developing teamwork, communication, decision-making and leadership skills.
Thank you to our many collaborators including TAFE NSW, Australian College of Physical Education, Austswim, Volleyball NSW, Granville South High School, Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt and Parramatta High School.