The CAC Project leverages the strengths of South Australian communities through a partnered approach to establish and foster relationships that grow localised capacity to build and deliver impactful physical activity initiatives.

The State Government has committed $500,000 a year for the next three years across four pilot regions, for the CAC Project to partner with regional communities and codesign actions that contribute to and deliver sustainable solutions that heighten physical activity participation and better connect communities.

Initiatives in the Riverland and Whyalla regions have commenced in 2024, following successful pilots throughout 2023 in the Limestone Coast and Port Lincoln.

Within the project, locally employed CAC Project Officers have been selected to lead initiatives including:

• Future leaders - increasing the amount, and capacity, of diverse leaders within the sport and recreation community.
• Club health check - understanding the needs of clubs.
• Facility coordination - maximising local assets to increase participation for all.
• Mental health in clubs - making clubs a safe space for mental health conversations.
• Volunteerism and micro-volunteering - making it easier for people who care about sport and recreation to find ways to help.
• Heart of the community – working with sport and recreation communities to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible.
• Performance pathways – providing development opportunities for athletes, coaches and officials.
• Increasing community events – increasing physical activity opportunities through events.
• Supporting active lives – addressing barriers to participation and lifelong engagement.

Only 14% of South Australian youth are meeting the physical activity requirements of 60 minutes per day.

One of the many aims of the CAC Project is to increase the number of eligible young people in our regions claiming Sports Vouchers (the State Government funded $100 discount on sport, dance, learn to swim or Scouts/Guides fees) to make it easier for them to move, play and perform.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Katrine Hildyard

People in regional communities understand their own needs better than anyone else.

As part of the CAC Project, we’ve visited the regions, listened to what they’ve had to say and have captured their expertise to lead a sustained cultural change.

We’ve already seen some incredibly positive outcomes in the Limestone Coast and Eyre Peninsula, and we’re excited for the expansion to continue into the Riverland and Whyalla.

Through sport and recreation initiatives that have been driven by the community, we aim to bring people together, create a strong sense of belonging and improve participants’ physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

Quotes attributable City of Port Lincoln Mayor Diana Mislov

We commend the State Government for prioritising better connection and increased engagement in sport and recreation in regional communities via the Connected and Active Communities Project.

The City of Port Lincoln recognises the benefits of sport and recreation as incredibly important. They go well beyond physical fitness, spilling over into reducing social isolation, strengthening community resilience, and increasing access and inclusion. We are grateful for our inclusion in the Connected and Active Communities Project.

Our Connected and Active Communities Project Officer, Paula Symonds has hit the ground running, developing key relationships with our local sport and recreation community and stakeholder organisations.

An important initiative within the program is the development of a club health check survey tool to develop an ongoing understanding of where local clubs and associations are in terms of governance, volunteers, facilities and programs. The inaugural survey will soon be distributed to our local clubs and associations and we are very much looking forward to their valuable input.

Quotes attributable to Limestone Coast LGA President Lynette Martin OAM

The Limestone Coast Local Government Association thanks the Malinauskas Government for partnering with regional communities through the Connected and Active Communities Project to enable these communities to establish and foster relationships that grow capacity to build and deliver impactful physical activity initiatives, which is so important to people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Connected and Active Communities Officer for the LCLGA, Tony Elletson is providing clubs with governance and off field support, has developed a pilot project based around soccer and migrants, created a Youth Group Leadership Program to provide young people the opportunity to reach their full potential in their chosen sport, surveyed clubs across the region to determine their needs for training and education, amongst many other initiatives.

A program such as CAC can only assist making our regions stronger and more resilient and I look forward to a continuation of the great results achieved in the Limestone Coast as the program evolves.

Quotes attributable to District Council of Loxton Waikerie Mayor Trevor Norton

This collaborative approach by the three Riverland councils signifies a strategic effort to improving sporting and recreation opportunities and assets across the region and is a continuation of our commitment to promoting active lifestyles and fostering community wellbeing.

I am confident that this role will be a driver for positive change, allowing us to effectively coordinate programs, engage with local clubs and groups, attract new opportunities to region, and ultimately, better the quality of life for those that live in the Riverland.

Quotes attributable to Whyalla City Council Mayor Phill Stone

This funding will have some great outcomes and help promote and increase physical activity in our community.

We genuinely appreciated the State Government extensively consulting with the community last year regarding this funding, ensuring it’s going to be spent where the community believes it’s most needed.