NASCA’s programs
are about having fun, but they are also about inspiring and motivating
Indigenous youth to reach their full potential. Programs include:
- ARMtour (Athletes as Role Models)
– High profile athletes (both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) volunteer
their time to travel to communities where they conduct sports clinics and
education programs. To date, ARMtour has reached more than 6,000 young
people in 11 different communities. - “Hunting for an Australian
Tiger” – a national sports development program to promote the
talents and careers of young Aboriginal golfers. NASCA achieves this
though regular visits to centres of Aboriginal population to hold golfing
workshops and competitions for Aboriginal children and ongoing mentoring
programs. - Rugby League – a joint initiative with
NRL aimed at promoting the game and identifying and developing young
Aboriginal players. In a typical year, NASCA runs 40 rugby league clinics
involving around 4000 young people. - “Casting the Net” – a
program for Indigenous girls and women in remote and rural areas to play
netball; improving their self esteem, encouraging a healthy lifestyle and
creating a pathway for Indigenous players to reach elite levels. - Basketball – a new community
development program with the Sydney Kings, focused on youth in Redfern and
Alexandria Park. - Educational scholarships –
encouraging and rewarding students’ achievements in sport and education
Indigenous athletes involved with NASCA on all levels, from
being out in the communities running programs through to NASCA Board membership
are Dean Widders (Parramatta Eels),
Kyle Vander Kuyp (Olympic hurdler)
and Michael O’Loughlin
(Sydney Swans).
Once established, NASCA predict future numbers of
participants at the Centre to be in the order of 200 non-residential and 30
residential per month.
This Fact Sheet was
part of the Media Kit at the Media Conference on 11 July 2006 to announce the
ILC would proceed to purchase the former Redfern Public School site and
establish a National Indigenous Development Centre.