BACK
Hedland Aboriginal Youth Sports Connect Initiative
The Hedland Aboriginal Youth Sports Connect Initiative (HAYSCI) was a joint initiative between WA Cricket, Basketball Western Australia (BWA), and the Western Australian Football Commission (WAFC).
HAYSCI was developed to improve physical activity, health literacy, and social and emotional wellbeing among Aboriginal young people in Port Hedland. Through a multi-sport program delivered during school holidays and after school, the initiative provided safe, positive experiences and strengthened community connections. It also created leadership pathways and linked young people to local services, helping to address complex social challenges in the region.
Towards the Hedland Aboriginal Youth Sports Connect Initiative, an after school sport program involving cricket, football and basketball, that also provides educational and leadership opportunities which connect the community for sustainability.
WA Cricket Foundation
1/1/2022
Healthway
$96,000
Pilbara
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Young People, Regional and Remote Communities, People Experiencing Disadvantage
- Increase knowledge and skills of the benefits of physical activity to Aboriginal youth
- Shape environments to enable physical activity and reduce sedentary lifestyles
- Promote active living as part of daily life
- Local connections: Community engagement was key to this program’s success, with stakeholders as well as families actively participating and creating a sense of belonging and trust.
- Model of delivery: Overall, having flexibility in the approach allowed the program to adapt to local needs.
- Short-term funding remains a challenge, limiting sustainability and long-term impact. Multi-year funding commitments would allow programs (and project staff) to establish roots in the community.
- Offering three sports delivered a range of benefits for participants, but greater coordination between sporting organisations would reduce duplication of effort
- Key terms (e.g. ‘fully funded project’) can carry different meanings across regions and organisations
“Programs like these allow my kids a safe space, amazing opportunities and skill development that is vital for their development.”
Parent
Opportunity
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face poorer health outcomes than non‑Indigenous Australians, including lower life expectancy, a higher overall burden of disease, elevated rates of chronic conditions and mental health challenges [1]. Positive health outcomes are closely linked with high levels of physical activity. Unfortunately, according to the ABS 2022 National Health Survey, 83% of young people aged 15–17 are insufficiently physically active [2].
Public health research shows that sport is a powerful tool for encouraging young people to be physically active, while also strengthening their social and emotional wellbeing and fostering community belonging.
This initiative built on the success of the WA Cricket Foundation’s Deadly Cricket Program in Port Hedland, which had established strong relationships in the region. The prevalence of complex social issues in Port Hedland, including substance abuse, antisocial behaviour and poor school attendance, reinforced the need to strengthen young people’s social and emotional wellbeing and enhance their sense of connection to community [3] [4].
The program was designed to engage young people in a multi-sport program, with three exciting sports during school holidays and after school providing a positive and enjoyable experience. It was also intended to provide alternative, positive pathways for young people in the region.
The HAYSCI aligned with Healthway’s active living objectives to:
- Increase knowledge and skills about the benefits of physical activity
- Shape environments to enable active living and reduce sedentary lifestyles
- Promote active living as part of daily life
Approach
By providing accessible, culturally responsive sporting opportunities, HAYSCI aimed to divert young people from negative influences, improve health outcomes, and strengthen community cohesion.
The program focused on six key objectives:
- Increase sustained participation and physical activity among Aboriginal youth
- Promote physical and health literacy through education sessions
- Improve social and emotional wellbeing (resilience, confidence, critical thinking) of young people in the community
- Provide safe, positive experiences during school holidays and after school
- Engage respectfully with the local community and stakeholders
- Connect youth and families to community services and support networks
2478
Participants
118
Volunteers
104
Emerging leaders trained
14
Community events
4
In-term events
3
Holiday programs
“This program has been accommodating for all my children, it allowed children of all ages to participate and have fun across all sports.”
Parent
Key activities
From July 2022 to June 2023, 2596 young people participated or volunteered in multi-sport activities (Australian rules football, basketball, cricket). These comprised of in-term activities and holiday programs. To support accessibility, transport assistance was provided through the community bus.
Four in-term events and three holiday programs were run by HAYSCI, which focused on offering informal sporting opportunities. Basketball, Australian rules football, and cricket were on rotation, providing a space for skill and motor skill development, followed by an opportunity to try these skills in games or through modified games. These programs offered young people and their families a safe space to participate in sport, build important life skills, enjoy healthy food, and develop relationships within their local community.
Leadership development
Through the Leadership Program, 11 leadership modules were delivered to 104 young leaders in partnership with the Polly Farmer Foundation at Hedland Senior High School. The program covered topics such as vaping, concussion, nutrition, sleep, exercise and sport participation. Leadership participants passed on their knowledge by facilitating nutrition and football workshops within primary schools, reinforcing the importance of healthy habits and active lifestyles among younger students.
Community events
HAYSCI delivered 14 community‑focused events, including multi‑sport carnival days that showcased basketball, Australian rules football, and cricket alongside a range of activities offered by local community organisations for families. These days included local health services or community service providers that assisted with BBQ and other activities. Collaboration was a key pillar of success, with 22 partnerships formed across local organisations, schools, and health services.
Health education was embedded within HAYSCI to promote wellbeing, healthy behaviours, and informed decision-making among young people. Nutrition messaging was delivered through interactive, engaging activities including the ‘Smoothie Bike’ at community events. Informal conversations held during sports sessions created opportunities for young people to discuss smoking, alcohol, and other drug-related harms, building awareness of how these behaviours can impact life and sporting performance.
Mental health support was reinforced through a partnership with Headspace, which provided safe spaces for discussions on identity, belonging, and mental health awareness at carnival days. This collaboration also introduced mindfulness activities and supported the integration of mental health and nutrition messages throughout program delivery.
Impacts and Outcomes
Improving Social and Emotional Wellbeing
The program enhanced social and emotional wellbeing, resilience, critical thinking, and confidence among participants. Examples of impact include:
- Parents reporting positive changes, with one noting: “It even gave my son a safe place to try sports he wasn’t sure about.”
- Retention of participants was high and as a result, they grew more confident in trying new sports. Many introduced family members to the program, creating a ripple effect of engagement and connection.
- Leadership participants demonstrated flexibility by adapting sessions to different age groups and skill levels, ensuring inclusivity and progression. Several leaders also advanced to umpiring roles in local Australian rules football and basketball competitions.
The program used a socioecological model combined with an education impact framework to assess outcomes across reach, reaction/efficacy, advocacy/adoption, and transfer phases. Evaluation methods included observation, yarning circles, interviews and surveys.
Promoting skill development and health literacy
Participants developed skills across the three sports (cricket, basketball, and Australian rules football), while improving social skills through interaction with peers and community members. High retention and participation supported the development of fundamental movement skills. Participant skill development was evident during games, carnival days, and through staff using the ‘teach-back’ methodology.
Embedding health messaging throughout the program supported participants to build health literacy skills. The development of these skills was especially evident when leadership program participants facilitated workshops for primary school students.
Building community connections
Through partnerships, HAYSCI connected young people to community sports, services, and education providers, fostering stronger and deeper community connections. WA Police in Port Hedland reported that anti-social and negative behaviours after school had decreased with the program activity schedule after hours.
The community carnivals attracted significant attendance and brought the community together. These created safe spaces for families and encouraged informal yarning with community organisations like Headspace. Feedback highlighted the value of these carnivals in providing inclusive, family-friendly environments and opportunities for participation across multiple sports.
The HAYSCI Project Coordinator now serves as Co-Chair of the Hedland Youth Stakeholder Action Group, strengthening collaboration and advocacy. Weekly programs supported by staff, equipment, and partnerships with the Town of Port Hedland and Youth Involvement Council continue to drive impact.
“The leadership program allow[ed] me to understand future roles within sport and meet people who work in it. It also allowed me to gain skills now to be a better leader in sport and life for my friends, plus I can use these skills to get a job.”
Leadership Participant
What worked?
Local connections: Community engagement was key to this program’s success, with stakeholders as well as families actively participating and creating a sense of belonging and trust.
The program benefitted from having dedicated funding for a coordinator based in the region to ensure consistent delivery and oversight. The coordinator developed strong partnerships with local organisations, schools, and sporting associations, which played a critical role in strengthening program delivery.
Model of delivery: Overall, having flexibility in the approach allowed the program to adapt to local needs.
The tri-sport model provided participants with a variety of activities, which sustained their interest. Health promotion messages were embedded throughout the program, with mental health messages and the importance of physical activity integrated into activities and discussions.
The complementary programs (leadership program and community events) added value towards outcomes. As leadership participants gained valuable skills through coaching, umpiring, and mentoring opportunities, they were also able to reinforce health messages from a peer-led perspective. Community events were inclusive and encouraged family participation, enabling another audience to connect to health messages.
Finally – the use of simple engagement tools (such as shared meals and social activities) helped foster connection and trust.
“To have such a strong representation from the local community was terrific and would not have been possible without your efforts”
Swan Districts Football Club
Relevant project links
References
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2025, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework, Australian Government, Canberra, viewed 9 April 2026, <https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/>.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2024, Physical activity, Australian Government, Canberra, viewed 9 April 2026, <https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/physical-activity/physical-activity>.
- WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) 2022, Country WA Primary Health Network Needs Assessment 2022–2024: Pilbara, WA Primary Health Alliance, Perth, viewed 9 April 2026, <https://www.wapha.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Needs-Assessment_Country-WA_Pilbara.pdf>.
- Hedland Aboriginal Strong Leaders, Department of Education & partners 2019, Hedland School Attendance Strategy, Government of Western Australia, Perth, viewed 9 April 2026, <http://cassiaps.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/001417_HED-ASW_HedlandSchoolAttendanceStrategy_vFA-web.pdf>.
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Acknowledgement of Country
The Western Australian Community Impact Hub acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are based, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation and extends that respect to all the Traditional Owners and Elders of this country. We recognise the significant importance of their cultural heritage, values and beliefs and how these contribute to the positive health and wellbeing of the whole community.