The Indigenous Youth Sports Program

CQUniversity in conjunction with the Department of Communities and CQID, are proud to present the Indigenous Youth Sportsd Program (IYSP) 2012. This year, for the first time communities from the Central West and Gladstone will travel to the CQUniversity Rockhampton campus, where the event will be hosted on Monday 25th June to Friday 29th June. Students aged 10 to 15 years from Woorabinda, Bluff, Blackwater Emerald, Barcaldina and Gladstone will participate in a program that focuses on building their confidence and self awareness through sports, health and education, whilst fostering Indigenous cultural values and identity. The program also aims to build aspirations towards higher education to increase the participation of Indigenous Australians in tertiary studies.

To attend the ISYP school holiday program, students must identify as Indigenous Australians and obtain the support from a principal, teacher or community education counsellor, who can state that the student has an acceptable or higher level of school attendance and an excellent school behaviour record. Transport, accommodation and all meals are provided. There is no cost to families.  Students will have the opportunity to experience a universtiy learning environment, enhance their sporting performacne and skills through science based clinic and workshops and the opportunity to meet indigenous students from other communities as well as CQUniversity academics, professional staff and students.

This program:

• forms part of CQUniversity’s strategy to widen indigenous participation in higher education
• directly addresses two of the priority areas identified under the Australian Government’s Social Inclusion ‘Closing the Gap’ strategy (health and education) and a third priority area (employment) indirectly, by raising awareness of career opportunities.
• reflects CQID’s commitment to generating and leading positive social change and well being for indigenous people and the wider community.

 Places are limited and a selection process will apply. The closing date for applications is Friday 18th May 2012.

For further information, contact Melinda Mann – Yasso, Indigenous Outreach Officer, CQUniversity on phone 4923 2129 or by email m.mann-yasso@cqu.edu.au