Welcome to the August edition of Sportview. 

The General Meeting of WA Sports Federation Council will be held on Tuesday 1 September, 5.45 pm at Cambridge Bowling and Recreation Club.  If you haven't already registered your attendance please do so by emailing JoObeirne@wasportsfed.asn.au.  A diverse range of industry topics will be discussed and presented at this meeting.

The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hon. Terry Waldron, held a breakfast on 12 August with a range of State Sport Associations (SSAs).  Invited SSAs had the opportunity to talk directly with the Minister and other key Government and industry representatives.

The following areas were discussed:

• The Minister commented on the sport and recreation portfolio
• The structure and implementation of regional sport and recreation in WA
• An overview of sport and recreation facilities 
• The range of inclusive sport and recreation projects and programs delivered in WA

A range of issues were raised by SSA representatives including:

• The need for people from WA to be part of National Boards
• Proposed strategic direction of Healthway
• Sponsorship of sport
• Gambling on sport

The Minister's breakfasts provide a valuable forum for the exchange of information and discussion about the sport and recreation industry.  We encourage Members to accept invitations to attend.

The 2009 Sport and Recreation Industry Awards will be held on Friday 27 November at Burswood Entertainment Complex. 

As part of the Awards, WA Sports Federation will present the 2009 WA Sports Federation Achievement Award.

This Award will be presented to a WA Sports Federation Member in recognition of their significant achievement during the past two years.  The recipient will have demonstrated a high level of achievement and/or contribution to the development or promotion of sport in Western Australia through at least two of the following:

1/ A strong commitment to improving organisational governance;

2/ Implementing innovative programs designed to improve and/or increase participation; or

3/ Competition and event management.

The nominations are now open for this Award and will close on Friday 16 October.  To nominate, simply describe how your organisation has achieved at least two of the above criteria using a maximum of two A4 pages (including referees).  Please use size 11 font.

You can either post or email your application to WA Sports Federation.  Please state the name and official position of the person who is lodging the nomination.

To view the other Sport and Recreation Industry Awards click here.

The first Emerging Nations Programme (ENP) training camp took place in Perth between 22 July and 3 August and was a tremendous success.

Nine athletes from eight developing sailing nations were invited to participate.

The ENP is an initiative of Western Australia 2011 Pty Ltd, which was submitted as part of Perth 2011's winning bid to host the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) World Sailing Championships, in 2011.

The nine athletes were from eight nations - the Cook Islands, Moldova, Latvia, Chinese Taipei, Ecuador, Mexico, Singapore and the Czech Republic.  These sailors were identified as being close to Olympic qualifying standards.  However, due to lack of opportunity in their home countries, they were finding it challenging to reach Olympic level.

Head ENP coaches 2000 Sydney Olympics gold-winning medallist Belinda Stowell AM and former world champion and 2008 Beijing Olympic Coach Arthur Brett worked with the first group of athletes to improve their sailing skills, fitness and knowledge.

The picture on the right shows Anna Aile, of Latvia, warming up before a practice race as part of the first Emerging Nations Programme training camp, held at the Fremantle Sailing Club.

For more information and for a daily diary outlining the highlights of each day of the first ENP training camp visit http://www.perth2011.com/

Western Australians can register for a fun and free spring physical activity challenge.

The Active Family Challenge encourages families, sport and recreation groups, work and community groups to participate in regular physical activity and be rewarded for doing it.  Click here to view the Challenge flyer.

Groups can register online and will be in the running to win prizes including a family walking break holiday on the Bibbulmun Track, camping equipment from Mountain Deisgns and backpacks.  One sport or active recreation group can also win $1000 to support their club, courtesy of the Department of Sport and Recreation.

To register or for more information visit http://www.activefamilychallenge.com.au

Communication Workshops

WA Sports Federation in partnership with the Department of Sport and Recreation is offering a series of free Communication Workshops during October.  The workshops are:

• Electronic Communication Tools - Do you know what is available?
• Writing a Media Release - Interactive Workshop