The Vanuatu Minister for Education, the Hon. Charlot Salwai, toured the Australia Institute of Sport in Canberra today. During the tour, Mr Salwai met with key Australian Sports Commission personnel involved in the Australian Sports Outreach Program that works in communities in Vanuatu and other Pacific-region countries to improve participation and physical activity levels.

The Australian Sports Outreach Program’s work in Vanuatu is centred on the Nabanga Sports program, which supports the Vanuatu Department of Youth, Development, Sport and Training (DYDST) to deliver key objectives of the country’s national youth strategy: social and professional integration, training and capacity building, health awareness and governance.

Nabanga Sports works in Vanuatu’s three main provincial areas to provide community-based sports and training activities, which are mainly football (soccer) and volleyball. Each community activity is initiated, organised and delivered by local Area Youth Councils, supported by DYDST staff. Responsibility for hosting these sporting and training events rotates between different communities on a monthly basis.

Mr Salwai took great interest in the Australian Sports Commission’s involvement in the Nabanga Sports program and was very impressed with the Australia Institute of Sport facilities. He has travelled to Australia regularly throughout his political career, particularly to Sydney, but this was his first time in Canberra.