Dr Richard McGrath Health in Communities

Research Group

The Street Sport Project:

Creating and sustaining physical activity opportunities for youth.

Healthy Kids Research Cluster Seminar 2013

Acknowledgement This presentation relates to the “Be Active” Street Sport Project (SSP).

The project was initiated by the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and funded by the SA Office for Recreation and Sport.

Research conducted by University of South Australia in collaboration with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield.

Introduction The focus of the SSP is to seek ways to provide various recreation and sport opportunities to youth aged 12-17 years living in (or close to) the City of Port Adelaide council region who have not been involved in out of school physical activity over the previous 12 months.

This presentation will briefly highlight the stages of the project to date as well as key findings from various research projects that have informed and supported the continuation of the SSP.

Introduction

Port Adelaide Enfield Council

Stages of SSP The SSP has evolved through a number of defined stages.

In 2011 a scoping study was conducted within a selected area of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield.

The main suburbs included in this study were in the western region of the council and included Oakden, Gillies Plains, Hillcrest, Windsor Gardens and Klemzig.

Project location

Scoping Study The scoping study was conducted to identify factors that could have the potential to impact on youth physical activity participation rates.

In addition, the scoping study sought to identify activities and opportunities youth would be interested in concerning after school physical activity programs.

The study involved conducting a youth survey as well as family interviews.

Focus groups were also conducted with indigenous youth.

Key Findings - Survey The youth survey identified a number of reasons why young people are not currently involved in physical activity. These included: • Cost • Time • Inadequate knowledge of opportunities and • Type of activities being offered

Key Findings - Interviews Cost and time were also identified as a barrier to participation

Family interviews identified the need to also consider the type of activities (particularly from the perspective of parents).

Parents and youth are seeking activities that are: • Family friendly, i.e. enable all members of the family to be

involved concurrently • Non-competitive activities are being sought by parents and

youth, • Focused on fun and enjoyment, • Close to home.

Activity preferences Sport/recreation or physical activities respondents interested in*

Note: *Respondents may have indicated more than one activity

Respondent comment # of times cited Respondent comment # of times cited Soccer 50 Badminton 2 Basketball 16 Rugby 2 Cricket 14 Lacrosse 2 Martial arts 14 Ice skating 2 Dance 14 Squash 2 Roller skating 13 Ten pin bowling 2 Tennis 12 Gym 1 Netball 10 Baseball 1 Football 8 Boxing 1 Athletics 6 BMX riding 1 Swimming 6 Parcour 1 Volleyball 5 Table tennis 1 Softball 5 Horse riding 1 Gymnastics 3 Wrestling 1

Key Findings - Focus Group Identified barriers that restricted sport/recreation opportunities were:

• Time involved in travelling to and from school, • Lack of knowledge regarding other opportunities, and • Lack of interest.

Preferences concerning sport/physical activity included: • Females: Dance, music and art • Males: Crickets and cycling

Youth also indicated some interest in regard to being volunteers, rather than participants in sport/recreation.

This interest was in respect to their ability to use these experiences as part of the educational courses in high school.

Stage 2 – Pilot Program Findings from this study were incorporated into a 10 week Street Sport Pilot Program. This program ran from March to May 2012. Activities offered were Soccer, Hip Hop dance, Roller skating and Capoeira. Over 70 youth were involved in the program.

Stage 2 – Pilot Program Evaluation of the pilot program was conducted using:

• Pre & Post activity surveys – Youth • Post activity survey - Parents • Observations during activities • Family Interviews

Main findings: • Overall Satisfaction (Very Happy/Happy) - Youth (80%), Parents (91%) • Willingness to Recommend – Youth (70%), Parents (100%) • Intention to continue – Youth (88%), Parents (100%) • Roller skating and soccer well attended by a variety of youth • Over a third of participants had not been involved in PA in the last 12

months

Stage 3 Key learning's from pilot project were taken on board and used to continue a number of activities in the western region of the council.

In addition, another region of council was selected as a focus.

A scoping study was conducted in late 2012 in an eastern region of the council.

Findings from this study confirmed previous scoping study results conducted in western region regarding barriers as well as type of activities youth would likely be involved in after school.

Stage 3 Throughout 2013 various activities have been initiated across a number of areas within the council region.

Activities include: Soccer, basketball, badminton, dance (Jazz & Hip Hop), aquatics, roller skating. Activities are occurring in community and recreation centres within council region. These SPP activities are currently being evaluated, with findings expected to be available later this month.

Thank you for your time.