The Morrison Government is investing $1.65 million over three years from 2019–20 in an exciting program to help improve the lives of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia, through sport, nutritional advice and educational activities.
The Pioneers Aboriginal Corporation uses its successful basketball program as a springboard to help children and youth aged six to 25 years, strengthening and improving social, emotional, cultural and economic opportunities.
“Pioneers gives young people the opportunity not only to excel in sport but also in education and training,” said Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt AM.
“Participants are telling me that Pioneers gives them a sense of belonging, with young people joining for the camaraderie and also to extend themselves.
“It is about health and fitness and spiritual wellbeing, supporting the dynamics of families and culture.”
Pioneers works in partnership with regional and metropolitan schools and employment and training providers, including providers of disability services.
Pioneers also develops training and employment pathways and delivers a holistic education program which benefits young people, their families and communities.
The funding will allow Pioneers to:
The Pioneers Aboriginal Corporation uses its successful basketball program as a springboard to help children and youth aged six to 25 years, strengthening and improving social, emotional, cultural and economic opportunities.
“Pioneers gives young people the opportunity not only to excel in sport but also in education and training,” said Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt AM.
“Participants are telling me that Pioneers gives them a sense of belonging, with young people joining for the camaraderie and also to extend themselves.
“It is about health and fitness and spiritual wellbeing, supporting the dynamics of families and culture.”
Pioneers works in partnership with regional and metropolitan schools and employment and training providers, including providers of disability services.
Pioneers also develops training and employment pathways and delivers a holistic education program which benefits young people, their families and communities.
The funding will allow Pioneers to:
- Deliver local and regional basketball programs;
- Support athletes with practical nutritional advice while promoting knowledge about healthy eating for peak performance;
- Develop and deliver educational and training programs on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, health and nutrition, social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention and intervention for the athletes, their families and communities and service providers; and
- Work with partner organisations in the areas of welfare, education, employment and training to ensure the motivation developed through sport is also channelled into other aspects of the young athletes’ lives.
This funding, through the Government’s Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme, means Pioneers will be able to expand this successful program throughout WA.
Operations already exist in Kalgoorlie (Goldfields-Esperance), Kununurra (East Kimberley), Merredin (Central Wheatbelt) and Perth.
Thanks to our commitment to a strong economy, the Morrison Government is providing $4.1 billion to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the next four years, representing annual funding growth of approximately four per cent.