AOC: Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates AC, says a plan unveiled in Victoria to increase the amount of competitive sport played in schools is a model that could be adopted nation-wide.
Mr Coates said the scheme promoted by the Coalition Opposition in Victoria would reverse the long-standing trend that has seen sport lose its prominence in school curricula.
“There is no doubt sport is being de-emphasised in schools across the country and Australia is paying a price for that,” Mr Coates said.
“The consequential rise in obesity across generations is well-documented, as are the other negative impacts of inactivity in young and old alike.
“The AOC has long championed the notion of sport for all, calling on governments, State and Federal, to focus on the ability of sport to produce both physical and mental health benefits, not to mention building the opportunity for community cohesion."
Mr Coates says tackling these issues begins at school and the plan outlined today in Victoria promotes numerous opportunities.
“The Olympic movement brings with it a huge variety in sports. Australians have long recognised that its Olympians have developed a resilience to overcome obstacles as they pursue their sporting passion, whatever that may be.
“I note the plan announced today seeks to promote students engaging in a variety of sports and this is a good thing.
"Different sports suit different people. We know by offering a variety of sports to young people, you offer greater opportunity for them to engage."
Mr Coates continued,
“In our submission to the recently unveiled Sport 2030 Plan announced by the Federal Government, the AOC called for a re-think, to give young Australians the opportunity to be the best they can be.
"We were pleased the Plan recognised what a positive partnership between government and sporting bodies such as ourselves can achieve.
“Without a re-think on sport in our schools, our ambitions will founder and for that reason, I am delighted to support this commitment to sport, particularly competitive sport, that has been flagged today.”
olympics.com.au
