What's new
How did the project come about?
This project involved developing a sport program for girls from Arabic-speaking backgrounds in the Canterbury-Bankstown area of Sydney. The nine-week project, coordinated by the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation, aimed to address the barriers to girls’ participation in physical activity and encourage them to be more active regularly.
Project overview
In the initial stages of project development, it was important to build rapport with community organisations and schools to encourage their cooperation. An information kit was sent to schools and community centres that became project partners responsible for recruiting participants. Surveys were conducted to collect information on the expectations of young girls and identify popular sports among girls interested in participating. Program participants were introduced to various local sporting clubs, recreational facilities and community organisations. Sports included martial arts, indoor/outdoor soccer, swimming, fitness, volleyball, table tennis, basketball and football. On the program’s final day the girls had a day outdoors at Cataract Park, participating in challenging and fun activities such as riding a flying fox.
What worked well?
In all, 75 girls participated in the program. Many of them have continued to be regularly active, with 25 girls joining the local soccer club and others participating in organised swimming programs. Some have shown a keen interest in becoming members of the local gym.
Surveys conducted at the conclusion of the program showed the girls were enthusiastic and keen to be a part of a similar program in the future. The project was effective because it addressed the barriers that prevent Arabic girls from regularly being active, such as dress code, access to women-only facilities and availability of female coaches.
What would be done differently?
More time for planning would help target a wider range of potential participants. It would be better to conduct the program on the same day each week to maintain consistency. Organised transport to the venues outside the Canterbury–Bankstown area would also have increased participation.
Where to now?
This project was followed up with individual programs such as WimSwim, which provided women-only access for swimming programs. Initially a follow-up program was planned to cater for Muslim women, but the response from women from all communities was so overwhelming that an additional program was planned. To date 150 women have participated in the program and a community organisation has also started to conduct similar programs.
A Muslim-based soccer club with only male teams has now registered a female Muslim team as a result of the program.
Summary
It is best to have a community-based field worker to coordinate a project like this. It is also advisable to consult with the community to determine the needs and barriers for Muslim women participating in sport and physical activity.
