The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.
Minister welcomes sporting legends’ boost to Indigenous sport
Daley Thompson, Dawn Fraser, Steve Waugh and Sebastian Coe—some of the biggest names in sport—gathered today at Optus Oval in Melbourne, to support the delivery of sport opportunities for Indigenous children.
The Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, welcomed the support of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in assisting the Australian Government to increase opportunities for Indigenous children to participate in sport.
“The Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), and in partnership with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is committed to improving the participation levels of Indigenous people in Australian sport,” Senator Kemp said.
“Improving access and opportunities for Indigenous Australians to participate in sport and physical activity is a significant issue in our society and one I know the Australian Government and the ASC are working hard to deliver.
“Both the ASC and the Laureus Foundation recognise the power of sport to promote social cohesion and wellbeing and deliver real health benefits to Indigenous communities across Australia.”
The Australian Sports Commission demonstrated three inclusive sport programs, the ASC’s Sports Ability Program and Traditional Games and the Australian Football League’s Kickstart Program, to the Laureus representatives. The three demonstrations are aimed at involving Indigenous children in sport in a fun, safe and structured setting.
The ASC’s overall Indigenous Sport Program works to increase Indigenous participation in organised sport at all levels—as athletes, coaches, managers, trainers or officials.
A national network of 50 Indigenous sport development officers work within Indigenous communities to deliver sport programs and services.
Past joint initiatives between Laureus and the ASC include the highly successful Sports Library Program that supplies Indigenous Sport Development Officers and trailers equipped with sporting goods for loan to Indigenous communities.
The Laureus Foundation sponsors 39 sports development projects throughout the world with the specific aim to improve the health and well being of young children. Amongst their other successful international projects are the Seenigama Sports in Sri Lanka, the Peres Centre for Peace in Israel and Palestine and the Nakulabye Community Aids Project in Uganda.
Today’s ambassadors represent the Laureus World Sports Academy, a dedicated team of legendary sportsmen and sportswomen, who have all volunteered their services to this cause.
MELBOURNE
17 March 2006
Media contact: Michael Christo, Minister’s Office, 02 6277 7350 or 0409 040 276.