Western Australia Minister for Sport and Recreation Terry Waldron

Documentary Highlights Social Value Of Sport

Victor P Taffa

• Special guests attend screening of RAW
• Film at Outcare Youth Services camp promotes self esteem

The ability of sport to help drive major social justice outcomes is highlighted in a documentary released this week in Perth.

Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron and special guests attended a screening of RAW: A Reason to Change at the Department of Sport and Recreation offices in Leederville.

“The documentary is about a six-day camp driven by Outcare Youth Services and funded by the State Government to deal with escalating anti-social and offending behaviour of identified young people in the Midland district.” Mr. Waldron said.

“Sport and recreation was a key in breaking down barriers, building trust, teaching team building and leadership and providing the necessary self-esteem for these young men to make a commitment to change.”

“Of the 13 young, mostly Aboriginal men who attended the camp, I am proud to report that nine have achieved their Certificate II in Building and Construction and six have so far gone on to gain employment.”

“Others have continued their studies.” Mr. Waldron said.

The Minister said sport and recreation had the power to change lives for the better and the ability to drive initiatives to make a positive difference in communities. Results from the camp highlighted this.

Other department social justice initiatives include the Northbridge Youth Engagement Program, to address the number of young people being detained in Northbridge on Friday and Saturday nights.

Through engagement in sport and recreation activities such as Midnight Basketball in the cities of Armadale and Swan, the program has contributed to a continuing drop in the number of youth being detained in 2011.

Fact File

• To view RAW: A Reason to Change go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNA_r3ShvnI
• Governor Malcolm McCusker, Mrs Tonya McCusker, Perth Children’s Court President Judge Denis Reynolds and representatives from WA Police, Department of Indigenous Affairs and Centrelink attended