USC students working to help get children active
Fifteen University of the Sunshine Coast students are doing their bit to improve childhood fitness and self-esteem by working as coaches for the Active After-school Communities Program.
The national program is an Australian Sports Commission (ASC) initiative to provide Australian primary school aged children with access to free, structured physical activity programs at after-school care centres.
Among the University students involved are Public Health student Sharna Taylor at Mooloolaba State Primary School and Education student Joshua Leembruggen at Caloundra Christian College.
They provide 1-2 hours of physical activity each week, involving children in fun, non-competitive sporting activities and games which are designed to empower them.
USC’s Centre for Healthy Activities, Sport and Exercise (CHASE) was chosen as a registered provider of coaches on the Sunshine Coast.
CHASE administrator Helen Szabo said the program encouraged participation among children and, at the same time, helped USC students improve their employment prospects.
“It’s just a great program,” she said. “The idea is to make it non-stressful, as such a lot of kids won’t engage in traditional sports that are competitive.
“Health and well-being is the goal. Hopefully it will set up a life-long love of sport and physical activity and that’s what we need.”
Ms Szabo said the University students, mostly aged 18-30, were boosting their employment opportunities by meeting prospective employers.
“Most of the USC students have at least some background in coaching young children,” she said. “And most of them have found it to be an absolutely wonderful experience.”
— Terry Walsh