Frequently Asked Questions about Active After School

 

Q. What is the Active After-school Communities (AASC) program?

A. The Active After-school Communities program is an Australian Government program managed by the Australian Sports Commission. It is a national initiative that provides primary school-aged children with access to free, sport and other structured physical activity programs in the after-school time slot of 2.40pm to 4.00pm.

The program aims to engage traditionally inactive children in sport and other structured physical activities, and through a positive and fun experience, develop a love of sport that inspires them to join a local sporting club.

 

 

Q. Who can be involved in the AASC Program?

A. The AASC program is open to Australian primary schools and Childcare benefit (CCB) approved Out of School Hours Care Services (OSHCS)(sites).

Approved long day care and family day care services may also apply, subject to meeting the following requirements:

• Children participating in the program are primary school-aged children only.

• The program delivered is offered in the after-school time slot.

• The site has access to suitable facilities to conduct the proposed program.

 

 

Q. What are the outcomes of the AASC program?

A. The outcomes of the AASC program are to:

• Engage primary school children into structured physical activity

• Provide opportunities for ongoing participation in organised sport

 

 

Q. What is Playing for Life?

A. Playing for Life is an approach to coaching that uses games as the focus of development. By concentrating on game-based activities children are able to:

• Develop skills within a realistic and enjoyable context, rather than practising them in isolation and from a technical perspective.

• Engage in dynamic game-based activities that use a fun approach to developing a range of skills.

 

 

Q. Will there be a cost to families for their children to be involved in the AASC program?

A. The AASC program is a free service, as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to improving the health and well being of Australia’s children. Where children are enrolled within an OSHCS service, the program will not incur any additional costs above the cost of the child care.

 

 

Q. What are the requirements for delivery of the program at sites?

 

A. Sites involved in the AASC program must meet the following requirements:

Program Management Requirements

• The AASC program must be offered as a free service, as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Australian children. Where children are enrolled in an OSHCS, participating children and their families must not incur any additional costs above the cost of the child care.

• Engage children.

• Provide inclusive activities to engage children of all abilities.

• Nominate a coordinator to manage all aspects of the program including liaison with their local AASC Regional Coordinator and timely and satisfactory completion of required administrative processes.

• Participate within and actively support the AASC research and evaluation program as required.

• Provide access to appropriate facilities for both wet and dry weather conditions.

• Only engage Australian Sports Commission (ASC) registered community coaches to deliver the program. A list of ASC registered community coaches can be obtained from local regional coordinators.

• Provide a free nutritious afternoon tea for all participating children each session, aligned to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

• Utilise AASC funding, in accordance with the terms and conditions, for the delivery of activities within the funding period it was allocated (this includes the purchase of any equipment). 

Program Delivery Requirements

• Operate within the after-school hours time slot of 2.40pm to 4.00pm.

• Provide a minimum of 60 minutes of sport or structured physical activity each session.

• Engage all children enrolled in the program for the full 60 minutes of each session.

• Run 2-3 sessions per week for 7 weeks of each term

• Commit to participate in the program for the full funding period (Terms 1 and 2 or Terms 3 and 4).

• Ensure active supervision is provided during all AASC sessions that fulfils the duty-of-care requirements of the site (e.g. staff to student ratio) and supports the community coach in managing behaviours and encouraging maximum participation.

• Nominate a supervisor, coordinator or current staff member who has or will complete the free AASC Community Coach Training Program during the funding period.

It is important to note, that some of these program delivery requirements may be modified where necessary to meet local need, however, they must be approved by both the relevant AASC Regional Manager and AASC Operations Manager before the program commences.

 

 

Q. Who will deliver the program?

 

A. Community coaches must be registered with the Australian Sports Commission to be able to deliver programs at sites. Anyone may apply for registration — school teachers, OSHCS staff, development officers from national and state sporting organisations, local club personnel, local government staff, parents, private providers, senior secondary or tertiary students etc.