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This newsletter has been superceded by a later edition and some information will be out of date. You may link to the latest Community Update from our home page menu.

In this Issue:

A WORD FROM THE STAFF
Future Funding from VicHealth

NEWS
Volunteer Recognition Scheme - March Volunteer, Yvonne Higgins, Maffra - Gippstar Awards - Drought Relief for Community Sport & Recreation 2007 - Taxing time for overweight kids - GippsTAFE Scholarship Awarded - Updated ‘Women in Sport’ fact sheets - Netball court standards for season 2007 - Congratulations Carolyne Boothman

CLUB SUCCESS STORIES IN GIPPSLAND
Korumburra CC wins Family Initiative for 2006-07 - Club improvement idea of the week - Morwell CC - Royal Victorian Bowls Assn. honour to Traralgon member - Golf club recognises junior talent

CLUB RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Club Development Network - Board Essentials Package

GRANTS AND CLUB FINANCES
Sport and Recreation Victoria - Our Community.com - Community Facility Funding Program - Country Action Grants Scheme (CAGS) & Victalent - Country Football and Netball Program - CricKids Playing in Harmony - Soy Life Community Fund - Sporting Uniform Grants - VAYSAR Sport and Recreation Grants - Sport Incentive Program - Worksafe Victoria and Netball Victoria Club Grants

GOOD SPORTS UPDATE
About Good Sports - Here are some tips for your club - Responsible Servicing of Alcohol Training

SEMINARS AND TRAINING
Sports trainer, taping, massage - Grant writing and event management seminar for women - Arthritis Victoria training sessions

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS
Keep Fit, Don’t Sit – can your club help? - Go for your life Latrobe - Harmony 8s Day – Boccia

FEEDBACK
Club tip for this month - Newsletter evaluation

GIPPSPORT CONTACTS

A WORD FROM THE STAFF . . .

Future Funding from VicHealth

For the last five years VicHealth has funded GippSport and all other Regional Sports Assemblies (RSA) to provide the Participation in Community Sport and Active Recreation Program (PICSAR).

VicHealth currently provides GippSport with 65% of it’s overall funding which has assisted in employing full time staff to work out of offices located in Bairnsdale, Sale, Moe and Wonthaggi. This funding arrangement will conclude on 30 June 2007.

Under the new arrangements RSA’s must apply to VicHealth for funding for a four year period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2011. The overall goal of the new PICSAR program is to increase participation in community sport and recreation, particularly for people with disabilities, and those from low socio-economic, Indigenous and new arrival communities.

During the last few weeks all GippSport staff members have been extremely busy preparing a very detailed and well researched application which has been forwarded to VicHealth. The success of the application is absolutely crucial to the future of this organization and successful applicants will be notified on 21 May 2007.

The last few months of 2006 saw the GippSport team along with various organisations across Gippsland spend many hours developing, supporting and advising applicants for the Active Participation Grants 2007-10 (APG) which are funded by VicHealth.

Fifteen applications across the State were successful in gaining funding. GippSport supported all Gippsland applications, with three being successful. The projects are funded for up to $180,000 for a three year period and will have a direct impact on targeted communities within Gippsland.

The successful projects include:

•   Activity Supermarket (Swifts Creek, Cann River and Dargo areas)
•   Physically Active Koori Kids (Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyers and Bairnsdale)
•   Disengaged Community – Physical Activity Project (Yarram district)

Congratulations to those involved in the projects. GippSport is looking forward to working with you!

NEWS

Volunteer Recognition Scheme

GippSport is committed to acknowledging the contribution of volunteers to sport and recreation within the Gippsland Region. Please send us in a nomination from someone you know within your club that is worthy of being involved in our Volunteer Recognition Scheme.

Please send a nomination of around 200 words to Kim at GippSport, , or to PO Box 63, Newborough VIC 3825, outlining your nominated volunteers role within the club, previous/ongoing involvement and why you think they should be recognized around Gippsland.

March Volunteer, Yvonne Higgins, Maffra

There are many people who have assisted in the development and success of the Maffra Basketball Association over the years. Yvonne Higgins has been involved with the Association from a young age when she began her playing career at age 14. After enjoying the game immensely in the initial season, Yvonne also took up an officiating role as a referee for the Association.

Yvonne continues to play at top level in the A Grade domestic competition, is also a representative for the Maffra Women’s Over 35 team and continues to referee top level basketball at both domestic and representative level. The Maffra Basketball Association considers her to be among the highest level referees within the Association. In the past has she has taken on the role as the referees advisor for a ten year period.

Over the past 34 years, Yvonne has given her time to the Association and carried out various roles and positions. These roles include being an active committee member for 28 years, coaching domestic basketball and assisting in junior development for 20 years. She has coached various successful representative teams at tournaments throughout the State and also at Country Championships annually over the past 12 years.

A position she may be best known for is the President of the Association, a positions she has held for the past 20 years. Within her role she also managed to take on the role as Team Manager for the Maffra Women’s Country Basketball League team and was involved in three fundraising campaigns within Maffra and surrounding townships to raise funds for extensions to the Stadium. The Stadium is now part of the Cameron Sporting Complex, where she is also an active member of the Management Committee.

Over the years, Yvonne has not only been recognized by her own Association, receiving a Life Membership but also by Victorian Country Council Basketball receiving two service awards.

The Maffra Basketball Association would like to recognize such effort and achievement and thank Yvonne for the past 34 years of voluntary service.

Gippstar Awards

The winners of the December Gippstar Awards were Ben Ross and Scott McEwan.

Ben Ross, from Garfield and a member of the Gippsland Power football team, was awarded the December Junior Award for being selected in the AFL pre-season draft, and now on the senior list for the Kangaroos.

Ben has spent December and January training 5 or 6 days a week, and after being initially disappointed about not being picked in the national draft, he was thrilled to be drafted at pick number 3. Ben is currently preparing for the 2007 season.

Sixteen year old Scott McEwan took out the Australian senior lightweight title at the Australian amateur Boxing League titles in Hobart. McEwan, who has only had 11 fights, was knocked out of the junior section and then entered the senior division when a position became vacant. He faced a 32 year old opponent, and went on to win the championship. A member of the Moe Youth Gym club, Scott has been awarded the Senior Gippstar Award for the month of January.

Zachariah Nelson, a member of the Gippsland Academy of Sport Athletics Squad, won the Australian U16 Heptathlon Championship in December, after a tight competition with athletes from several other states. Zachariah completed 100m hurdles, shot put, high jump, 200m sprint, long jump, javelin, and 1500 metres. Zachariah also competed in the Australian All Schools Championships, and came third in the U16 pole vault. Zachariah is proving to be a very competitive and dedicated athlete, and was awarded the February Junior Gippstar Award.

The Senior Award went to Mitchell Meade and Nicholas Bagliono, members of the Gippsland Lakes Yacht club, who won the National 125 Championships recently. Their vessel, Team RSL, defeated many other competitors to take out handicap honors. This was a real honor with the Championships being held in Paynesville for the first time in twenty years.

The Gippstar awards are awarded each month to a junior and senior Gippstar resident who have achieved great sporting success that month. The Gippstar awards have been awarded to Gippslanders for the last 47 years and continue to recognise the sporting talent of Gippsland.

Further details available by contacting Carolyne Boothman, ph. 0419 526709 or email boothman.carolyne.m@edumail.vic.gov.au

Drought Relief for Community Sport & Recreation 2007

On Friday 23 March 2007, Premier Bracks announced a $4.6 million drought package for councils and sporting groups. The Victorian Government has allocated $4 million along with $200,000 from the AFL, $200,000 from Tennis Victoria, $200,000 from Cricket Victoria and $75,000 from Football Federation Victoria to assist communities on stage 3 and 4 water restrictions across the State.

The Drought Relief for Community Sport and Recreation Program provides grants to help local communities develop sustainable approaches to water management of sports grounds and other sport and recreation facilities.

In the first phase of the program every Victorian Council on stage 3 or 4 water restrictions will be eligible for a $50,000 grant to reduce the impact of the drought on local sport and recreation facilities.

Contact your Local Council for further information on funding opportunities.

Taxing time for overweight kids

In an effort to curb Australia’s lifestyle related disease and obesity crisis the Australian Sports Federation Alliance (ASFA) is calling on the Federal Government to introduce a physical activity tax deductible rebate.

This rebate will allow parents, guardians and carers of dependent children to make a per child claim for approved costs associated with their child or children’s involvement in an eligible sport or active recreation activity.

Cost has been identified as a primary barrier limiting access to participation opportunities.

The physical activity tax-rebate will offer some much needed financial relief to millions of Australian families, thereby encouraging parents to enhance children’s participation rates in organised physical activity.

GippsTAFE Scholarship Awarded

On Tuesday March 20, the presentation of the GippsTAFE Industry awards were held at the Waratah Restaurant in Morwell.

Executive Officer of GippSport, Barry Switzer had the pleasure of presenting the annual GippSport – Sports Administration Engagement Scholarship to Stewart Edwards of Churchill, who is a current student at GippsTAFE.

Stewart received a cheque for $500 and a plaque to recognize his efforts.

Congratulations Stewart from all the staff here at GippSport!

Updated ‘Women in Sport’ fact sheets

Now all women can learn how to participate safely and confidently in exercise whatever their stage of life. Sports Medicine Australia has recently updated three of the ‘Women in Sport’ series fact sheets.
The updated fact sheets include:

•   Contraception for active women
•   Premenstrual syndrome and the active woman
•   Exercise and osteoporosis

These updated fact sheets join the current ‘Women in Sport’ series fact sheets including:

•   Growing up with exercise – Teenage girls staying active
•   Exercise and well-being after pregnancy
•   Exercise in pregnancy
•   Keeping active during menopause
•   Nutrition for sportswomen

To download the ‘Women in Sport’ fact sheets visit www.smartplay.com.au or for hard copies contact Smartplay on phone (03) 9674 8777 or email smartplay@vic.sma.org.au

Netball court standards for season 2007

Run-off Specifications / Existing Courts: If courts are fenced and the run-off area is less than 3.05m, no team members, officials (apart from umpires) or spectators may stand within the fenced area during play.

If the courts are not fenced, a 3.05m space must be cordoned off around the court and no team members, officials (apart from umpires) or spectators may stand within this area during play.

All reasonable attempts must be made to remove any obstacles within the 3.05m run-off area. If an obstacle cannot be moved, please contact Netball Victoria to discuss available options.

New Courts/Upgrades: The court must have a 3.05m run-off (3.65 between courts)

Court Surfaces: Netball Victoria has been in discussions with their preferred court supplier regarding suitable surfaces especially in areas that are suffering drought conditions. There are instances where concrete courts are the most appropriate surface; this is primarily dependant on soil type.

Therefore, clubs which currently have concrete courts need to contact Netball Victoria for a court inspection to determine if the courts are suitable for use. Please phone Leonie Gibson on 9321 2241.

All clubs need to be aware that the issue of court specifications and safety is ongoing and plans should be made to address any identified issues. Netball Victoria is willing to assist clubs with this planning process and applications for funding via the Country Football Netball Program. Hosting finals should not be the only motivating factor for clubs to ensure their netball courts meet specifications.

Congratulations Carolyne Boothman

Carolyne has been invited to assist with the National Netball League Commonwealth Bank Trophy matches for season 2007.

These matches will be held at the State Netball/Hockey Centre and Vodafone arena in Melbourne. Carolyne, who is a GippSport Board member will take on a role as a volunteer assisting in team preparation and organisation of the matches.

CLUB SUCCESS STORIES IN GIPPSLAND

Korumburra CC wins Family Initiative for 2006-07

In recent years, Korumburra CC has welcomed a sequence of new young families into its membership ranks, prompting the Club to think of ways to create a more family-friendly club environment.

With the desire to create a more family environment, many parents asked the club to build a playground for the younger children. Through fundraising and Local Government support the Club constructed a new playground tailored for children aged between 2-10 years old.

Club improvement idea of the week - Morwell CC

In an effort to encourage more young people to play cricket in the Morwell area, Morwell CC re-layed second hand synthetic turf wickets within 5 local primary school grounds. This initiative hopes to allow more children the chance to play cricket and build a strong relationship between Morwell CC and the schools.

Royal Victorian Bowls Assn. honour to Traralgon member

The Royal Victorian Bowls Association recently awarded Bob Crane of the Traralgon Bowls Club its second highest honour short of life membership - the RVBA Medal of Merit.

Bob has continuously served in administrative roles at the Club at both board and Men Bowls Section levels, beginning with his appointment as Assistant Secretary in 1969. He continues to serve the club and is currently the chairman of the men's Match Committee.

Deputising for RVBA President Doug Corben, Vice President Geoff Burt made the presentation at a large bowls gathering at the Club, in Traralgon, on February 14.

Golf club recognises junior talent

Meeniyan junior development session

The Meeniyan Golf Club was proud to present a junior development workshop for young golfers in the Bass Coast region.

The workshops commenced on Sunday 14th January and concluded on Tuesday 16th January at the Meeniyan Golf Club. Approximately 21 juniors attended on each day with coaches Graham Hoskin, Dot Chrisitie, Phil Johnston and Irene Holm noticing quite a considerable amount of talent.

CLUB RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Club Development Network

The Australian Sports Commission has its Club Development Network free to sports clubs. Clubs can join, receive their password and have access to great information to help your club.

All you need to do is log onto www.ausport.gov.au/clients/clubs.asp  Then register, get your password and make use of the information.

Board Essentials Package

The Board Essentials Package provides:

•    A one year subscription to the Board Builder Newsletter - A quarterly newsletter that discusses practical approaches to identify and solving the issues and problems faced by not-for-profit boards and committee members
•   Book: Surviving and thriving as a safe, effective board member: Facts you need to know before, during and after joining a community board
•   Book: Transforming Community Committees & Boards: From Hell To Heaven

For more information about these resources please contact Alan Matic on 9320 6805 or alanm@ourcommunity.com.au or check out www.ourcommunity.com.au/board_essentials

GRANTS AND CLUB FINANCES

Sport and Recreation Victoria

Sport and Recreation Victoria provides grants and funding to support groups from local community clubs through to the elite level. Funding is available for a range of activities, for more information visit
www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au and use the Grant Finder link. You can link directly from here.

Alternatively see the Sport and Recreation website, www.sport.vic.gov.au and click on the Grants & Funding link, or link directly from here.

Our Community.com

The Community Funding Centre is Australia’s premier grants and funding resource

Our Community offers a wide variety of services and products on grants and fundraising, many of them free, so that your organisation can become a healthier, more viable community group.

For further information go to www.ourcommunity.com.au/funding/

Community Facility Funding Program

The Community Facility Funding Program contributes to the provision of high-quality and accessible community sport and recreation facilities across Victoria; Sport and Recreation Victoria manage the grant program.

Building Community Infrastructure provides grants to improve places where communities meet and interact. Applications may focus on building or upgrading community sport and recreation facilities. Applications close 20th October.

•  Minor Facilities - Maximum grant of $60,000 towards projects with a total cost of $200,000 or less.
•  Major Facilities - Maximum of $500,000 (GST exclusive).
•  Planning - Up to $30,00.

Directly link to grant information for Major Facilities, Minor Facilities or Planning. Alternatively, go to www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au and use the Grant Finder link to find the details.

Country Action Grants Scheme (CAGS) & Victalent

The Country Action Grant Scheme aims to increase the capacity of community sport and recreation organisations in rural Victoria.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available for three project types: Improving Organisations, Enhancing Skills and Including Everyone.

Please note that this year the CAGS and Victalent have been changed so the applications are open all year round.

Information on both programs is available from the Department for Victorian Communities. Directly link to CAGS information, or directly link to Victalent information. Alternatively, the web site is www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au and use the Grant Finder link to find the details.

Country Football and Netball Program

Funding is to assist country football and netball clubs to develop facilities in particular areas of need including: football, netball and umpire facilities, shared community, club and social facilities, multi-use facilities or lighting.

Eligibility: Football and netball clubs in rural, regional and outer metropolitan Victoria can submit an expression of interest through their local council.

Funding Available: Up to $60,000. This program is open for applications on an ongoing basis. Directly link to grant information, or go to www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au and use the Grant Finder link to find the details.

CricKids Playing in Harmony

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs' Living in Harmony program has recently announced funding of the Cricket Australia CricKids Playing in Harmony program.

The first 250 Australian schools to register for the CricKids Playing in Harmony resource will receive one class set FREE of charge which includes one teacher manual, complementary CD-ROM and 20 student handbooks valued at $528.60.

Registration details, as well as the contents of the resource, are on the Cricket Australia web site, www.cricket.com.au/playinginharmony

The program encourages children to reflect on important social issues and celebrates cultural diversity and inclusion. It is designed to empower students and challenges them to lead the way and make a difference in their community.

Soy Life Community Fund

The Soy Life Community Fund is a new community initiative launched this year by Soy Life. The program aims to give something back to your community by granting local groups, projects and clubs a cash injection of $5,000.

There is $5,000 available every month, so Soy Life wants to hear from you about how the money would help your community - whether this is renovating the local clubhouse or hall, supporting a fundraising drive, or upgrading equipment at your local primary school.

The Soy Life Community Fund is open to community initiatives such as local schools, sporting clubs, community projects or youth groups like Brownies or Scouts. For more information and application details go to: www.soylife.com.au

Sporting Uniform Grants

Our Club, Our Future Sporting Uniform Grants Program 2007 is now open to sporting clubs across Victoria. It has been made possible through the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games dividend.

The program is aimed at helping community sport clubs, many of which lack the resources to properly kit out their players / members, purchase basic uniform items: eg shorts, jumpers, footwear, etc. (a fuller list is in the guidelines).

Clubs can apply for up to $1,000, with priority being given to clubs with juniors and clubs from areas identified as being highly disadvantaged. The program is effectively open till 3 September 2007. The closing dates is 3 September 2007 with $750,000 available.

Directly link to grant information, or go to www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au and use the Grant Finder link to find the details (look under "Our Club, Our Future").

VAYSAR Sport and Recreation Grants

Sport Development Grants (SDG) are available through VAYSAR to create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate in all levels of Sport & Recreation by providing assistance to Indigenous communities through the sport development process.

Applications are assessed by the VAYSAR board which meets on the first Friday of each month. The original copy of the Sports Development Grants needs to be processed 3 working days prior to the board meeting.
For more information contact Julie Phillips at vaysarjulie@bigpond.com

Sport Incentive Program

The Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) operates the Sport Incentive Program which aims to enhance the quality of life for all Australian through the development of sport. Specifically, the program aims to increase opportunities for Australian to participate in sport activities and excel in sports performance.

For more information go to www.asf.org.au/how.asp, or contact the Australian Sports Foundation on (02) 6214 7868 or info@asf.org.au

Worksafe Victoria and Netball Victoria Club Grants

Worksafe Victoria and Netball Victoria are working together to raise the profile of workplace safety in regional and rural Victoria.

To promote netball as a safe and healthy sport for players, coaches, umpires, officials and spectators, the Worksafe Club Safety Fund has been established to provide financial assistance to Netball/Football clubs to improve the safety of the club environment.

The Worksafe Club Safety Fund grant pool is $10,000 with each grant limit being $500 per application. Contact Leonie Gibson, Association Development Administrator, Netball Victoria, PO Box 60 North Melbourne 3051 or phone: 9321 2241

Details of this grant, and others through Netball Australia, are at www.netballvic.com.au/associations_funding.htm

GOOD SPORTS UPDATE

About Good Sports

The Good Sports Program (Funded through the Australian Drug Foundation) was designed to assist sporting clubs to implement alcohol management activities and policies. Displaying the Good Sports logo sends an important message to your members and the community. It indicates that your club promotes a responsible attitude towards alcohol and provides a safe environment for players, members, families and supporters.

Good Sports Guidelines

Did you know that being a part of the Good Sports Program has some responsibilities? You probably know that you need to follow your liquor license conditions, you should have people trained in Responsible Service of Alcohol at your club and you need to have a no smoking policy. Depending on your accreditation level you may have an alcohol management policy and a transport policy.

One of the other major responsibilities is around how alcohol is promoted within your club in regard to events and fund raising.

The DO’s:

•   Have low alcohol beverages available.
•   Stick to your liquor license or obtain additional coverage.
•   Monitor people’s behavior so that they drink safely.

The DON’T’s:

•   No alcohol only prizes
•   No ‘happy hours’
•   No alcohol games
•   No all you can drink and eat functions for the one price

If you are looking for other ways to fund raise check out the Fundraising Kit on the Good Sports website, www.goodsports.com.au or contact GippSport on cgsa@gippsport.com.au for a copy.

New club registration:

Fortuna 60 Soccer Club - Morwell

Here are some tips for your club…

Signs of intoxication

There are many noticeable signs that a person may develop as they become intoxicated. As blood alcohol levels rise, differences can be noticed in the co-ordination, appearance, speech and behavior and the person may show the following signs:

Noticeable changes in behaviour
• becoming loud boisterous and disorderly
• becoming argumentative
• annoying other patrons and staff
• becoming incoherent, slurring or making mistakes in speech
• becoming physically violent
• becoming bad tempered or aggressive or using offensive language
• exhibiting inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Noticeable loss of co-ordination and other physical signs
• spilling drinks
• fumbling and difficulty in picking up change
• swaying and staggering or difficulty walking straight
• bumping into furniture and other customers
• glassy eyes and lack of focus
• falling down
• vomiting.

Noticeable decrease in alertness
• rambling conversation
• loss of train of thought
• difficulty in paying attention
• not hearing or understanding what is said
• drowsiness or dozing or sleeping while sitting at a bar or table.

Remember, these signs are not exhaustive or, in a particular case, not necessarily conclusive of intoxication.

GippSport can assist your sporting organisation in providing member access to Responsible Serving of Alcohol (RSA) courses, Liquor Licensing Act sessions and publicity through media releases to local newspapers once accreditation is received.

To become a Good Sports Club, contact a GippSport Program Co-coordinator or register directly at www.goodsports.com.au

Responsible Servicing of Alcohol Training

The next training course is 24 April - Sporting Legends, Sale, 6:30pm – 9:30pm.

Register with Kim on 51358335 or

Cost is $20.00 for Good Sports clubs and $40.00 for other clubs.

SEMINARS AND TRAINING

Sports trainer, taping, massage

Sports Medicine Australia is conducting Sports Trainer and Advanced Taping
Courses in Morwell and Wonthaggi in the coming months.

Level One Sports Trainer Course

Sunday 15 and 22 April at the Morwell Football Club and the Wonthaggi Football Club, 9am - 5pm

Advanced Taping Course

Wednesday 2 May, Morwell Football Club and the Wonthaggi Football Club, 7 - 10pm

Sports Massage

Sunday 27 May at the Morwell Football Club, 9am - 3:30 pm, and
Sunday 17 June at the Wonthaggi Football Club, 9am - 3:30 pm

Re-accreditation for Sports Trainers

Wednesday 4 April at the Morwell Football Club, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

For more information and registration forms, contact the GippSport office on 51358335.

Grant writing and event management seminar for women

Blind Sports Victoria are hosting a 2 day seminar on grant writing and event management for women within any area of sport. Cost is $20, covering morning/afternoon tea & take-home CD. BYO lunch.

The seminar will be held on Saturdays, 12th May & 16th June 2007, 9.30am -3.30pm. The venue is Vision Australia, 2A Mouritz Street, Warragul.

Presentation will be by by Ms. Noelene Blair from Smart Performance Solutions. The seminar is funded by Australian Sports Commission for “Women in Sport”.

For further information, contact BSV on 9822 8876 email: blindsports@netspace.net.au, or Hazel 0412 224 242 email: nuttyhazel@optusnet.com.au

Arthritis Victoria training sessions

Arthritis Vic will run training sessions in Gippsland during 2007.
Warm water & chair based update 18 April - Pakenham
Warm water & chair based update 1 May - Moe
Tai Chi for Arthritis leader training course 19-20 Oct in Sale

For more information contact: Rani Hughes, Arthritis Victoria, PO Box 130 Caulfield South 3162. Ph 8531 8013. Fax 9530 0228

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS

Keep Fit, Don’t Sit – can your club help?

Sporting Clubs are being invited to be involved in this year’s “Keep Fit, Don’t Sit” program that promotes the benefits of active and healthy lifestyles to primary school students (Grades 3 & 4) in the Latrobe Valley.

The Keep Fit Don’t Sit program includes school visits from the Latrobe City Pacers (basketball), tally sheets to record the amount of physical activity students do over a two week period (May 28 to June 8) and a Grand Final Celebration Day (21/6/07) where each school will be invited to send two teams of four students to participate in a range of fun activities.

Sporting Clubs from the Latrobe Valley are being invited to participate in the “Keep Fit, Don’t Sit” program in two ways.

Firstly, your club can provide details of your activities, when they are held, for what age groups and any costs involved. This information will be provided to all students involved (up to 900 across the Latrobe Valley) and should be targeted to students that are not already involved in physical activity.

Clubs may wish to offer discounted registrations and membership or other incentives such as introductory coaching for new members.

Clubs may also like to volunteer to help out at one of the clinics in their local area. This is a great way to build a relationship with your local school and introduce young people to your club activities. While the clinics are facilitated by the Latrobe City Pacers are flexible and with enough prior notice, clubs may be able to run an inclusive activity as part of the clinic (e.g. handball, bowling etc.).

Clinics will primarily be conducted on Thursday and Friday afternoons during term 2 (16th April – 29th June).

This program is currently only being offered in the Latrobe Valley and is supported by International Power Hazelwood, Latrobe City Council and GippSport.

If your club would like further information or would like to register their interest in being involved please contact David Roberts at GippSport on 5135 8335 or email

Go for your life Latrobe

Go for your life Latrobe will be held at Latrobe Leisure Moe Newborough on Wednesday 4 April, 10am - 3pm.

Come along and enjoy a day of fun filled sport and recreation activities including: strength training, tug of war, exhibitions from local health, sport and recreation organisations, move and groove, body combat and much more.

Harmony 8s Day

Harmony 8s Day is targeting Indigenous primary aged children to become involved in cricket with the help of Cricket Victoria, Sport and Recreation Victoria and GippSport. Indigenous participants invite a non-indigenous friend to participate in a fun filled day of cricket games, bbq and activities to provide them with knowledge of the game and the benefits of being physically active.

This year the Harmony 8’s days will take place at the Wy Yung Recreation Reserve for schools in the East Gippsland area and also Morwell for Latrobe City and Baw Baw schools.

East Gippsland
Wednesday April 18, Wy Yung Recreation Reserve
Contact Morgan at GippSport for further information on 0428543403

Latrobe City/Baw Baw Shires
Friday April 20, Maryvale Recreation Reserve, Morwell
Contact David for further information on 51358335.

Boccia

Boccia is a modified version of the Italian game of bocce. It is played indoors with coloured, lighter balls. Boccia is a paralympic sport and is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Interested in having a go?
Try Boccia at:

• Lakes Entrance Youth Rec Centre, Tuesdays 11 - 12, $3 per week
• Sale OA Ruff Stadium, Wednesdays 10.30 - 12.30, $2 per week

FEEDBACK

Club tip for this month

Sports Officials Respect the Role. Respect the Person.

Most officials are volunteers who do it for the love of the event.
Officials deserve your respect and support.
Abusing an official won’t change the outcome of the event.
Officials can see things you can’t because they watch the event from a different angle.
Officials aren’t perfect; they do make mistakes, just like players.

Without officials there would be no event.

Newsletter evaluation

Congratulations to Swifts Creek Tennis Club!

By taking the time to respond to the GippSport newsletter evaluation, they have won $50 for their club.

We thank all those clubs for responding to the newsletter evaluation and look forward to making changes make so that it is more beneficial to clubs over Gippsland.

Please feel free to comment on any issues you find within the newsletter so that we can endeavour to provide you with current resources and information from the sport and recreation industry.

GippSport CONTACTS

This newsletter contains general information which should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional advice and only be used as a guide on issues. No responsibility can be accepted by GippSport or the authors for loss as a result of materials in this publication.