Ballarat - A Learning Comminty: News Item

And You Thought Sport Was Just For Fun!

And You Thought Sport Was Just For Fun!

Author: Allan Murphy, UniSports Manager, University of Ballarat

 Sport and exercise create many opportunities for personal growth and learning. Recent successful Olympians were often quoted acknowledging the discipline, coaching and teamwork that enabled achievement of their ultimate sporting success. While winning Olympic Gold is only available to a select few, there were countless untold stories of personal growth and learning through experience by other athletes that competed as Olympians.

 Not all of us can be Olympians, however UniSports provide a broad range of programs and services that reflect the learning environment they are offered within. Gymnastics, learn to swim, dance and holiday programs, for example, provide children with much more than a fun recreational activity. Each program is founded on well researched principles (supported by state / national organisations where possible) so that children are offered broad educational development through challenges and support appropriate to their needs with fun still a major component of this process.

 The success of learning principles provided through Unisports has been specifically demonstrated with the competitive success of gymnasts at a variety of levels in a relatively young program. While achieving success, a positive and supportive team environment has been created amongst club members, coaches and families.

 Through health promotion and the Exercise Rehabilitation Centre, Unisports members and corporate clients are offered opportunities to learn about establishing long term lifestyle changes that promote health and wellbeing. Short term remedies of diets weight loss schemes are replaced with advice and support that enables the individual to take control of their own health choices and ultimately achieve greater long term success in improving their health and wellbeing. The University itself endorses the opportunity for staff to learn how to establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle by subsidising staff participation in the UB Well program.

 An eagerness to continue to learn through either incidental events or structured educational programs is essential to maintain a positive outlook on life. Openness to learning and analysing information also helps us feel more connected with our local community and the continual change that occurs in society. UniSports’ philosophy is to provide positive educational opportunities through a fun, recreational environment.