The Medibank Community Fund (MCF) has awarded a $6,500 community grant to Leisure Networks in Geelong, Victoria.
The grant will fund Leisure Networks 'sportsaccess' program, which helps local primary school children from families experiencing financial hardship and social disadvantage to get involved in sport and recreation without cost as a barrier.
The grant will allow Leisure Networks to work with local primary schools, businesses, sports suppliers and clubs in suburbs throughout the Barwon region in order to increase participation and change unhealthy habits and behaviours early.
Medibank Retail State Manager for VIC, Mark OShaughnessy said the program embraced the Medibank Community Fund's priorities of promoting healthy eating, physical activity and greater community connectedness -the key selection criteria for the MCF grants program.
"Medibank employees on our Regional Council from across Victoria, expressed overwhelming support for Leisure Networks application because their program takes a preventative and proactive approach to childhood health by giving students the opportunity to be physically active through sport", said Mr OShaughnessy.
"The Medibank Community Fund grants program supports local, grassroots initiatives that aim to create a lasting and positive impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of people in the community and the Leisure Networks and their 'sportsaccess' program are doing just that".
Leisure Networks program coordinator, Megan Hole said the 'sportsaccess' program is about prevention rather than a cure.
"Sport is essential throughout childhood for a healthy diet, physical development, mental health, disease prevention, socialisation, sleep and more", said Ms Hole.
"The grant will ultimately allow us to increase participation, encourage social connectedness and improve the health status of young people and their families in the Barwon region".
Leisure Networks is one of 42 recipients chosen from more than 900 applications across Australia and New Zealand to receive a 2014 Medibank Community Fund grant.