Identifying and developing life skills through sport has always been accepted as a positive benefit obtained through participation.
The ACCL Aspire Program has seen firsthand how these life skills are supported and strengthened through delivery of Aspire to be Deadly Hockey Program.
What we have seen through 8 years of Aspire to be Deadly delivery, is how the accessibility and the subsequent participation assists our student’s physical well-being, helps to build a resilience and a positive sense of self, allows the students to learn how to control their emotions and channel negative feelings in a positive way. Developing life skills through sports | healthdirect
We have also been able to evaluate how these benefits are reinforced when students are selected in representative pathway programs.
From these evaluations, ACCL Aspire and Cairns Hockey have built a collaborative framework that facilitates the ability to support inclusion, equity and diversity opportunities within the representative pathway programs and we are proud to be able to share that in 2023, Cairns Hockey will have Aspire to be Deadly past and present students in representative teams – boys and girls from Under 13 through to Under 18.
This has come about through Cairns Hockey, its clubs, members, and committee’s commitment to a strategic outcome embracing inclusion, equity, and diversity across the whole organization. This is not without its challenges. Upskilling and sharing resources, mentors, and training to build capacity within the organization and a celebration and sharing of diverse views to allow the organization to better and more confidently work through challenges. This continues to be a work in progress but the sustaining positive outcomes being seen each year highlights how small steps, strong frameworks, and a commitment to include can result in hockey delivering opportunities to reinforce the power of sport.
We thank our supporters, our village for helping us to continue making these opportunities possible.
For more information on how these frameworks, programs and upskilling is delivered, contact Julie McNeil – julie.mcneil@aspireccl.com.au