Building Confidence, Resilience and Social Connections

Through your donations Leisure Networks has been developing the confidence, resilience and social connections for young people from refugee and newly arrived backgrounds while providing healthy physical and mental outcomes.

Leisure Networks received a $30,000 grant to support the Totally Sportsaccess Program which targets youth from the Northern Suburbs. The program introduces young people to sport and clubs through a fun and engaging school holiday program format, with activities delivered by local sports clubs and activities. Participants are then supported to join local clubs through subsidising membership and registration fees for club participation. By promoting healthy places and clubs the program is a creating stronger, inclusive and more active communities.

After participating in the January School Holiday program 50 young people from refugee and newly arrived backgrounds were connected into community sporting clubs of their choice in the Northern suburbs of Geelong. These young people are now accessing soccer, netball, gymnastics, swimming through the financial support along with a high level of family support provided by Leisure Networks and their partner Diversitat.

Another successful school holiday program was held over the Term 1 school holidays, which attracted 40 young people from CALD backgrounds and their families. Activities included soccer, netball, dodgeball and crazy games!  Since the Term 1 school holidays, the program has also assisted a local soccer club in the recruitment of over 25 players.  The club have been able to field extra teams in their competitions, and have also introduced lower fees and payment plans following discussions with Diversitat, Football Federation Victoria and Leisure Networks.

All these activities help provide these youth with needed confidence, resilience and social connections while also providing healthy physical and mental outcomes.