20 August 2018
Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates AC says a plan unveiled in Victoria today to increase the amount of competitive sport played in schools is a model that could be adopted nation-wide.
Mr Coates the scheme promoted by the Coalition Opposition in Victoria would reverse the long-standing trend that has seen sport lose its prominence in school curricula.
"There is no doubt sport is being deemphasised in schools across the country and Australia is paying a price for that." Mr Coates said.
"The consequential rise in obesity across generations is well documented as are the other negative impacts of inactivity in young and old alike."
"The AOC has long championed the notion of sport for all, calling on governments state and federal to focus on the benefits of sport to produce a physical health benefit, a mental health and wellbeing benefit. Not to mention to build the opportunity for community cohesion.
Mr Coates says tackling these issues begins at school and the plan outlined today in Victoria promotes numerous opportunities.
"The Olympic movement brings with it a huge variety in sports. Australians have long recognised that its Olympians have developed a resilience to overcome obstacles as they pursue their sporting passion, whatever that may be."
"I note the plan announced today seeks to promote students engaging in a variety of sports and this is a good thing. Different sports suit different people and we know that by offering a variety of sports to young people, you offer greater opportunity for young people to engage.
"In our submission to the recently unveiled Sport 2030 Plan announced by the Federal Government, the AOC called for a re-think to give young Australians the opportunity to be the best they can be. We were pleased the Plan recognised what a positive partnership between government and sporting bodies such as ourselves can achieve."
"But without a re-think on sport in our schools, our ambitions will founder. For that reason, I am delighted to support this commitment to sport, particularly competitive sport, that has been flagged today."
ENDS
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