The Australian State Sports Federations Alliance (ASSFA) welcomed the release of the Crawford Report as a much needed opportunity to develop a national sports vision contributed to by all levels of government and sport.

ASSFA member Sports Federations met in Adeilade on Monday 23 November and acknowledged the potentially valuable contribution the report should make to an integrated sports system open to all Australians.

ASSFA members have coverage of some 600 State level sporting organisations which cover over 6 million Australians.

“The report’s emphasis on building the capacity of sporting organisations, sport and physical activity in the education system, and sustaining an appropriate funding base for participation as well as elite sport is particularly significant” said ASSFA coordinator Peter Cummiskey, Executive Director of Q Sport.

The report challenges the Federal Government to partner with State and local governments and sport in a more collaborative way to address the requirements of all facets of the Australian sports system.

“ASSFA members welcome the report’s embrace of many of the propositions made to the Independent Sport Panel and look forward to further discussion with Federal and State/Territory Governments in the lead up to government’s response anticipated early next year” said Sport SA CEO Jan Sutherland, who hosted the meeting.

For further information please contact Rob Thompson at WA Sports Federation 9387 8100.

To read the Crawford Report click here.

The 2009 Emerging Regional Smarter than Smoking Junior Sports Stars have been selected.

As part of the 2009 ANZ Sports Star Awards, nine young people have been selected as regionally based young Western Australian athletes that have displayed emerging talent in their region.

Congratulations to:

• Goldfields - Laura McLerie (BMX)
• Great Southern - Jacinta Anderson (Netball)
• Kimberley - Zac Speed (Athletics)
• Midwest - Emma Hancox (Swimming) & Rebecca Browne (Surf Life Saving)
• Peel - Jessica Penny (Netball)
• Pilbara - Ashley Hunter (Touch Football)
• South West - Alex Devitt (Football - AFL)
• Wheatbelt - Steven Durell (Hockey)

 
Each athlete has been invited to attend and be recognised at the 2009 ANZ Sports Star Awards evening, with flights, accommodation and Award tickets provided for the winner and a chaperone.  Each person will have the opportunity to meet WA's top sportspeople and share the memorable occasion.

Regional ABC Local Radio have been supporting the promotion of the Emerging Regional Smarter than Smoking Junior Sports Stars and recognising their sporting achievements.

WA Sports Federation congratulates all nominees, finalists and winners involved with the Sport and Recreation Industry Awards.

The WA Sports Federation Board, on behalf of all members, congratulates Swimming WA on winning the WA Sports Federation Achievement Award. Swimming WA has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving organisational governance, including the development of a Board Charter and Policy Governance Manual, training for Board members and improvements in strategic and operational planning. With the knowledge and experience gained, Swimming WA is now able to offer support to its clubs and assist them in instituting corporate governance improvements.

Swimming WA has also been active in identifying areas for improvement and opportunities to increase participation in their sport. A number of key innovative programs have been designed and implemented, which has seen increases in participation in competitive swimming, has been successful in introducing new members to the sport and enabled the provision of valuable education to recreational swimmers.

Wheelchair Sports WA Association is also highly commended and along with the other quality nominations received, made this Award a difficult decision.

WA Sports Federation, supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation, is offering a free seminar from 10am – 12.30pm on 22 December 2009 detailing the Sporting Organisations Award 2010 which commences on 1 January 2010. 

This seminar is essential for all SSAs who employ people (casual, part-time or full-time) to attend. A representative from the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has been engaged to brief you about your obligations under the new federal Industrial Relations legislation, specifically under the new Sporting Organisations Award. Many organisations and industries are currently preparing for these changes.

The timing of this seminar has been impacted by the heavy demand on the CCI services.

This seminar will be held in the conference room at the Department of Sport and Recreation.  To register your attendance, please contact Jo O’Beirne at the WA Sports Federation Office on 9387 8100 or Joobeirne@wasportsfed.asn.au by 11 December 2009.

Do you want to be involved in the 2009 Indian Rim Asian University Games (IRAUG)?

Volunteers for IRAUG are currently required in following areas:

-Sport Administration
-Event Management & Operations
-Information Technology
-Journalism/Media/Marketing
-Special Events/Social Programs

Date: 7-11 December 2009.

If you are interested in getting involved, visit the IRAUG website for detailed information and registration form or email iradmin@sport.uwa.edu.au.