South Australian program strengthens regional communities through sport and recreation

The South Australian Government’s Connected and Active Communities (CAC) Project, designed to help activate movement, play and community connectedness in regional, has expanded following success in two initial pilot locations.

Leveraging the strengths of South Australian communities through a partnered approach, the CAC Project aims to establish and foster relationships that grow localised capacity to build and deliver impactful physical activity initiatives.

With the South Australian Government having committed $500,000 a year for the next three years across four pilot regions, the CAC Project is partnering with regional communities and codesign actions that contribute to and deliver sustainable solutions that heighten physical activity participation and better connect communities.

Initiatives in the Riverland and Whyalla regions have commenced in 2024, following successful pilots throughout 2023 in the Limestone Coast and Port Lincoln.

Within the project, locally employed CAC Project Officers have been selected to lead initiatives including:

Future leaders - increasing the amount, and capacity, of diverse leaders within the sport and recreation community.

Club health check - understanding the needs of clubs.

Facility coordination - maximising local assets to increase participation for all.

Mental health in clubs - making clubs a safe space for mental health conversations.

Volunteerism and micro-volunteering - making it easier for people who care about sport and recreation to find ways to help.

Heart of the community - working with sport and recreation communities to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible.

Performance pathways - providing development opportunities for athletes, coaches and officials.

Increasing community events - increasing physical activity opportunities through events.

Supporting active lives - addressing barriers to participation and lifelong engagement.

Only 14% of South Australian youth are meeting the physical activity requirements of 60 minutes per day.

One of the many aims of the CAC Project is to increase the number of eligible young people claiming Sports Vouchers (the South Australian Government funded $100 discount on sport, dance, learn to swim or Scouts/Guides fees) to make it easier for them to move, play and perform.

Commenting on the expansion of the program, South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Katrine Hildyard advised “people in regional communities understand their own needs better than anyone else.

“As part of the CAC Project, we’ve visited the regions, listened to what they’ve had to say and have captured their expertise to lead a sustained cultural change.

“We’ve already seen some incredibly positive outcomes in the Limestone Coast and Eyre Peninsula, and we’re excited for the expansion to continue into the Riverland and Whyalla.”

Image credit: South Australian Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing.