159 new sites are set to join more than 3000 existing schools and out of school hours care services nationally in the Australian Government’s Active After-school Communities (AASC) program.

In term three of 2011 up to 190,000 primary school-aged children across Australia will be provided with an opportunity to give sport a go and to get physically active in the after-school timeslot.

This means that about 4300 more children at these new sites will get the chance to get fit and active and hopefully develop a lifelong love of sport.

In addition to getting kids physically active, the program also provides opportunities to build and strengthen local communities by increasing awareness of sporting clubs and providing participation opportunities at the local level.

The program is heavily supported by communities across Australia through local sporting clubs and associations; AASC program staff; qualified coaches; public, private and independent primary schools; and out of school hours care services.

These partners work together to support the AASC program in providing their children with access to free sport and physical activity, which they may otherwise not engage in.

Through the Australian Government’s support, this national program has significantly boosted the knowledge and capacity to deliver sport and physical activity programs in a variety of different communities across our nation. For example, almost half of AASC sites are located in rural and regional areas.

By providing these fun and enjoyable opportunities early in a child’s development process, the AASC program aims to ensure that the next generation of Australians benefit from the enjoyment of participating in a lifetime of sport and physical activity.