And just like that the first quarter of 2022 is over. The first 100 days of this year has been extremely busy for the SportWest Team.
In January, we returned to the newly refurbished SportHQ which is proving to be exactly what we hoped for and more. The ability for sports to collaborate and share ideas and resources is coming to fruition and now that the vision has been realised we believe the opportunity to expand this concept is certainly extremely viable and in the best interest of the industry.
There are still a few desk spaces available so if any smaller sports are looking for a home, with access to facilities such as boardrooms, meeting rooms, a photocopier, internet and a gym please get in touch with the team.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 impacted our planned Q&A Panel Session with the Minister for Sport and Recreation and official opening of SportHQ. But, once daily cases settle, I am sure there will be an opportunity for the industry to gather to look around the home of sports administration.
The feedback following the SportWest Awards held in February at Optus Stadium has been magnificent. The more relaxed cocktail-style event, outdoors and under lights at our showpiece stadium was a sight to be seen.
It was great to see more than 350 people for the industry taking the opportunity to celebrate another great year for WA sport and to network and work on strengthening a sense of industry.
I want to again to take opportunity to congratulate not only our winners but also all of the finalists and nominees for 2021. The SportWest Awards are WA’s premier sporting awards and a nomination is a massive achievement and last year’s field was extremely strong with more than 180 nominations across nine categories.
We are busily planning next year’s event and we look forward to presenting these awards once again on behalf of the industry.
In the office, our team has been working on a number of key projects and priorities which are really starting to take shape.
We are doing some very exciting work to reinvigorate True Sport as an industry-led initiative. Established in 2017 with a focus of supporting the industry to promote and live the values of sport to the wider community, we are currently reviewing the program to help shape its future as part of a long-term sustainable approach to enhance integrity, values and culture-based initiatives.
Following the release of our Mental Health Framework last year, we are currently progressing this project so we can assist WA sport across the four key areas where clubs need assistance:
• Creating a club culture and environment that is inclusive of all people and promotes mental health and wellbeing of all those involved.
• Increasing mental health awareness and literacy, knowing how to respond to people, encouraging help seeking behaviour and developing links with local services and supports.
• Increase awareness of and linkages with mental health support services.
• Responding to critical mental health incidents/events, mental ill health of a member or a major crisis affecting the club.
When you add into the mix, the work we are also doing in the child safeguarding and Women of Sport spaces plus the data projects with ActiveXChange and the Social Return on Investment, it has been a very busy and productive time for the SportWest Team.
I am really confident that the work we have done in this quarter has set us up to deliver more tangible benefits to Members and the industry as the year progresses.
Our next Members Meeting is scheduled for mid-May and we are planning to resume our industry events in the second half of the year which will provide more opportunity for Members and industry to engage with the SportWest Team.
I wish you and your families the best for a happy and safe Easter break.
Matt Fulton
Chief Executive Officer
