Aspire to be Deadly from the outset understood the strength in relationships, understood the need to create a framework of strong first nations female mentors from which the young and vulnerable participants could draw strength, believe in self, and most importantly have a constant connection to see and believe what is possible each and every-day.
Activating a community sport for development program embracing and prioritizing the First Nations Female Youth Mentor Program was a brave and courageous step taken by Cairns Hockey in 2015 and almost 8 years later, it is an investment that is delivering emerging and confident First Nations young leaders who are committed to supporting positive social change.
Aspire to be Deadly has created a framework based around the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals, worked with Australian Government NIAA – Closing the Gap and has a collaborative MOU with Hockey Australia around education, schooling, participation, and wellbeing with a program that uses the sport of hockey to develop and deliver safe participation learning and empowerment spaces with the ability to celebrate uniqueness of culture where positive choices are embraced.
How often have we heard – “it takes a village to raise a child” – Aspire to be Deadly believes in this concept and creates its village through a series of specifically adapted programs which include connection to school (Aspire Schools), participation and general community (School to Club, Hockey Fun Zone), competition and culture (Deadly 5’s) and education, training, and personal growth (Empower Me).
The network we are building stretches from grade 3-4 in Primary School to transition programs at junior high school and through to completion of high school where it supports future career and employment choices.
The network has intentionally created a framework where the layers of growth are interconnected to ensure the framework is strong and sustainable and as our young people develop, they have access to support across many layers depending on their needs. This includes the partnership with ACCL and the accessible programs at Hub space it delivers allows these young people regular good food and nutrition support, the ability to participate to grow a community garden and use the fruit and vegetables to make strong and positive nutrition choices, access to equipment and resources to ensure these young people can participate in an inclusive program.
In 2023, we introduce our emerging leaders support program, and these older student leaders will support the program as “peer leaders” and work with our mentors to build their own growth profile while they become active and accessible role models for the junior participants to look up to and connect with.
We have already seen examples of how these positive changes are permeating through the program across 2023. Our peers are leading by example showing our young ones how to be courageous and not fear to fail through trialing for selection in hockey programs, participating in activities at Hub and having fun. This commitment to be present, to turn up and to be brave and take risks to achieve, all point to the importance of creating a safe place where your authentic self can be celebrated.
This has led to trust and respect being built with community, family, and participant. We have strong connections with Child Protection Services, and we have engaged with them to continue to provide opportunity where possible and our Aspire students have access to a constant safe place, somewhere away from the constant disruption in their lives.
Aspire Schools, its people and its support becomes the connector. Whether at Primary or Secondary level, it is the accessible space and the partnerships and collaborations with our Aspire Schools that become of paramount importance. Supporting this collaboration with resourcing, engagement, sharing skills, equipment through communication and planning is our no.1 priority.
The Aspire Youth Leaders are showing through actions and words that opportunities are available now where previously there were none. They are speaking about lived experiences that not long ago were thought to be impossible.
Of course, the challenges are many and often become overwhelming and young people become disconnected and disengaged despite our best efforts, but we continue to accessible, to be the constant, Aspire Hub, and the Empower Me Programs, Deadly 5’s and Hockey Fun Zone remain so when the Aspire student is ready to return, we are there ready to embrace them and celebrate their return. We hope they can share their journey so resilience, understanding, opportunity and conversation can be supported and the Aspire students sustain – through school and through life.
In the last 3 months, Aspire to be Deadly through these supporting programs have delivered 62 plus participation and empowerment sessions, 5-day Leadership Camp, engaged over 630 participants and have delivered Aspire School Programs across Cairns Region and Torres Strait Island Regions.
We are very excited to announce 5 Aspire students have been selected in Cairns Hockey U13 Representative Teams to content the State Championships in June/July 2023. We have 2 Aspire students selected in U18 teams, and we have Aspire students also eligible for U15 selection later this year.
We cannot be as successful without the community partners helping us including but not limited to Australian Government NIAA Programs, BDO Nth Qld, Alinta Energy, Astute Financials, Just Hockey, Cairns Safer Streets, Harbrow Mentoring, our Primary and Secondary School partners, Hockey Australia, Oceania Hockey- Hookin4Health, local clubs, members and volunteers, local councils and state government programs all working together.
These partners make a difference and help us change lives through a collaboration to LIVE WELL LEARN WELL LEAD WELL.