February 2011     More Australian children who are enrolled in outside of school hours care programs are set to benefit from the Australian Sports Commission’s successful Playing for Life Kit.

Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care, Kate Ellis has announced that the Playing for Life kit and staff training would be provided to 2,200 Outside School Hours Care services.  The kit is part of the Australian Government’s Active After School Community program, which provides school age children with access to sport and other physical activity programs after school.

“These kits will engage and motivate primary school aged children to participate in sport regardless of their level of ability,” Ms Ellis said.  “The kits have been particularly designed to engage traditionally non-active children in physical activities and to develop links between local community organisations and sporting and recreation clubs.”

Ms. Ellis adds: "We know that obesity affects far to many Australian children and it's important for us to be providing opportunities for them to develop a love of sport and physical activity."

The 2,200 Outside School Hours Care services will also receive training for staff in delivering the program and a set of companion books.  The staff training will help Outside School Hours Care services deliver Playing for Life as a safe and enjoyable program for children across Australia and provide child care staff with new skills.

Minister for Sport, Mark Arbib said the Active After School Community program provided children with the opportunity to participate in physical activity after school and hopefully gain the confidence to join a sporting club and develop their skills.

“According to Australian Bureau of Statistic figures one in five Australian children are either overweight or obese,” Minister Arbib said.  “One million Australian children did not participate in any organised sport outside of school hours in 2009.  The Active After School Community program aims to help children to develop a love of sport that inspires them to join a local sporting club.”

From information provided by the Minister for Child Care and the Minister for Sport, February 14, 2011.

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