A UNIQUE initiative employing sport at a grassroots level to connect education and physical activity to enhance community wellbeing will be launched in Bridgewater this year.
Australia’s first Sport and Wellbeing Community Club will be established by Grassroots Community Development Pty Ltd, a company established to create social change outcomes in grassroots communities
Brighton Council has provided initial funding for the venture which will primarily serve the communities of Bridgewater, Herdsmans Cove and Gagebrook.
The venture aims to increase participation in a range of sporting activities in the area, using organised competition sport as a vehicle to improve social, health and education outcomes, as well as enhancing self-esteem, identity and pride in the community.
Brighton Mayor Tony Foster said Council believed the initiative had the potential to make a real difference for local communities.
“Sporting participation levels in the three suburbs are lower than the State average, and regrettably, health and education outcomes are also generally low. A number of ideas and projects have come and gone over the years, but nothing has really stuck in the long term,” Cr Foster said.
“Brighton Council’s support and funding is seen as critical for the Sport and Wellbeing Community Club to secure other government and private sector funding, so we are keen to play a leadership role.
“Core to the concept is having one club that can support people in a variety of sports and activities, rather than trying to establish small clubs across each sport, which can be a challenge for these communities.
“Clearly, this is more efficient, but it can also create a strong positive identity for the area as well,” Cr Foster said.
Grassroots Community Development Director Scott Wade said the Sport and Wellbeing Community Club model was based on all sports working together under a single governance and management structure.
“This project goal is to use organised competition sport to connect with health and education at a grassroots community level,” Mr Wade said.
“Unlike comparable and even smaller communities, there are no established sports clubs in Bridgewater, Herdsmans Cove and Gagebrook, and the communities are missing out.
“The foundation of this new and innovative model, with a new community club at its core, is to enable participants, volunteers and staff to commit to their health and education as much as they commit to their sport. The overall wellbeing of the community will be the club’s primary objective.
“It is all about partnerships and sport giving back to the community, rather than sport simply demanding facilities and funding from government.
“Sport and activity has the power to transform peoples’ wellbeing and to create a fitter, healthier and happier community, and that it what we are looking to achieve in Bridgewater,” Mr Wade said.
Brighton Council is providing funding of $25,000 for five years, subject to annual reviews of the venture’s progress, performance and the achievement of agreed outcomes. A Council representative will also sit on the Club’s Board.
Brighton Mayor Tony Foster
