A lack of physical exercise and other lifestyle factors continue to plague an alarming number of Pacific islanders. Non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory diseases are growing rapidly in the Pacific, causing 75 per cent of all adult deaths.
To help reverse this trend, Senator Kate Lundy, Minister for Sport, and Senator Matt Thistlethwaite, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, announced the next stage of Pacific Sports Partnerships – a $14 million competitive grants program funded by AusAID and managed by the Australian Sports Commission.
'Sport is a wonderful driver for social inclusion and for development, which is why we are providing grants of up to $2.5 million per selected sport to help achieve development outcomes in the Pacific,' Senator Lundy said.
'We all know that a sporty nation is a healthy nation. But, sport can offer so much more.'
The Pacific Sports Partnerships program has been supported through Australia's aid program since 2010. The next stage of the program will increase levels of physical activity, promote healthy lifestyle choices and support people with disability to participate in social and community life.
Senator Thistlethwaite explained that the program will lead to more inclusive communities in the region.
'There are an estimated 800 000 people with disability in the Pacific who face numerous barriers to accessing the same opportunities for social and economic well-being as others,' he said.
'That's why the next phase of the program will support Australian sport organisations to work with Pacific sport organisations to use sport as a vehicle to help address non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, and improve the lives of people with disability.
'Activities under the program will also empower girls and women and promote safe and more secure communities.'
The objectives of Pacific Sports Partnerships are to:
- increase regular participation of Pacific islanders in quality sport activities
- improve health-related behaviours of Pacific Islanders which impact on non-communicable diseases, focusing on increasing levels of physical activity
- increase the social inclusion of people with disability in Pacific communities and improve community attitudes towards them.
Australian sporting organisations can contact the Australian Sports Commission for further information about the program. Grants are capped at $2.5 million for four years for each sports partnership. Sports will be selected through a competitive grants process.
More information
Solomon Islands country program
Enhanced partnerships for development between Australia and Solomon Islands