Giving kids a sporting chance

News story
Criminal Property Confiscation Grants Program aids at-risk young people.
Last updated:

Two sports-based projects to steer young people away from criminal behaviour have received $400,000 from the Department of Justice’s Criminal Property Confiscation Grants Program.

Attorney General John Quigley announced grants of $200,000 to the Stephen Michael Foundation and $200,000 to the V Swans program at Swan Districts Football Club.

The foundation will use the funds to provide a two-year program of activities to at-risk young people in Meekatharra, Narrogin, Kojonup and Carnarvon.

While the foundation's projects mainly target children aged six to 17, this one will also provide sports and personal development programs to young people over 18.

Director General Dr Adam Tomison said the aim was to engage young people to help reduce crime caused by anti-social behaviour, truancy and drug and alcohol abuse.

"Sports-based activities will include Auskick, talent academies, an umpiring academy and the AFL-based Nightfields after school program," he said.

"The project will also pilot a girls' competition as there are no specific activities for girls aged 13 to 17 in these towns, despite the growing popularity and interest in women's football.

"As well as sports activities, there will be breakfast and nutrition programs, the School 2 Work program and driver education and awareness."

In the metropolitan area, V Swans will run a structured holistic program of activities for children aged 10 to 16 to help reduce anti-social, criminal and risk-taking behaviours.

It will target youngsters in the club's catchment area who are at risk of becoming disconnected from the community or who have low school attendance. 

The goal is to engage them and build their trust through sport and recreation activities, while encouraging them to return to education and linking them and their families to helpful services.

"The project is aimed at providing a safe environment where they can learn new skills, explore and confront personal and community trauma and dysfunction, and build positive social networks," Dr Tomison said.

Schools and community and government organisations will help deliver the program.