Spreyton Primary School in Tasmania is creating more opportunities for children to have fun and get physically active by delivering a huge range of 18 diverse sporting activities as part of the Australian Sports Commission’s Active After-school Communities (AASC) program.

It is just one of 90 members of the AASC program based in Tasmania finding fun and creative ways for primary school children to get physically active and to develop their motor skills.

AASC regional coordinator David Munns says Spreyton Primary School, which began as an inaugural pilot AASC program that commenced in term 1 in 2005, now offers a wide range of 18 sporting activities which reflect the depth and diversity of the local sports community.

‘The success of this AASC program is due to the hard work, dedication and passion of teachers, volunteers and other staff involved in the delivery of 18 different sporting activities,’ Munns said.

‘This AASC program is also well supported by a strong network of clubs, community organisations, local governments and schools in the region.’

‘The school  is using AASC funding to transport children to a range of the local club facilities including the East Devonport Recreation Centre to participate in badminton, netball, table tennis and judo and the Devonport Surf Life Saving Club.’

‘More than 4000 students on the northwest coast have already taken part in the AASC program since its establishment in 2005.’  

The program is promoting popular sports — like netball, basketball, football and hockey — as well as opportunities to improve motor skills and coordination through fun and innovative activities like circus skills and martial arts.

ASC assistant director of Community Sport Wenda Donaldson, who recently visited Spreyton Primary School together with Senator Nick Sherry, says the AASC program is also providing a significant boost to the development and growth of local clubs and community-based sport in north west Tasmania.  

‘It creates a pathway to participate in sporting clubs and the wider community,’ Donaldson said.

‘It’s encouraging to see Spreyton Primary School students go on to become members of surf life saving, hockey, badminton, netball and football clubs,’ 

It is also supporting the education and training of community coaches and officials.

‘Spreyton Primary School is helping support the training and development of students as accredited coaches and officials,’ Donaldson said. 

‘School students are taking up coaching and officiating roles in contributing to the delivery of up to 18 sports activities through the AASC program and making a difference in their local sport community.’

The AASC program creates opportunities for Australian children to discover the benefits of happy, healthy and active lifestyles through sport — all in a fun and safe setting, after school, from 3.00pm–5.00pm.