Roll, bounce, slam – free sports for young people

Published on 20 October 2023

Young people aged 6-18 are invited to free sport and recreation clinics at the Niipu-niipu Wama/Morton Road sports and community hub in Christie Downs.

The clinics run every school term and school holidays, delivered in partnership with the Roger Rasheed Sports Foundation.

This school term young people have a choice of skating, tennis, basketball and multisport sessions.

Term 4 activities begin on Monday 23 October (the second week of the school term) and will be held daily after shool:

skateboarding – Mondays, 4-5pm
tennis – Tuesdays, 4-5pm
skateboarding – Wednesdays, 4-5pm (Welcome program)
multisports – Thursdays, 4-5pm (Welcome program)
3x3 basketball – Fridays, 4-5pm.

The new Welcome program, funded by the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, offers two new sessions specifically designed for young people with lived experience of disability. The sports are adapted for all abilities and provide a safe and inclusive space to get active and be socially connected.

Christie Downs resident Kaleb recently participated in the Welcome skateboarding program.

Kaleb was already an active member of the Christies Beach Football Club and the SANFL Inclusive League.

When he saw the skateboarding program at Niipu-niipu Wama, he thought he’d give it at a try as well.

“Kaleb has shown everyone what he is made of over the past five weeks,” says Jeffery Purves, Onkaparinga’s Youth Community Development Officer.

“Kaleb has developed a real sense of self-confidence, not just on the skateboard but in the way he interacts with the park and local community.

“He’s shown the resilience, consistency and confidence you need to progress in skateboarding.”

Kaleb has received a skateboard and helmet from coaches at the Free Mind Skate School for his efforts.

He's also obtained his Working with Children Clearance, and now hopes to become a mentor and coach for the Welcome skateboarding and multisport programs at Niipu-niipu Wama.

Roger Rasheed, former professional tennis player and coach who established the Roger Rasheed Sports Foundation in 2010, says there’s power in sport.

“Sport puts a smile on children’s faces, it creates energy, it’s interactive,” he says.

“A whole lot of community is generated through sport. Education is not about a book, it’s about experiences and connectivity with people. This is what sport is.”

The free sports clinics were introduced following the $3.5 million development of the Niipu-niipu Wama sports and community hub in October 2021.

The development was undertaken jointly by the Roger Rasheed Sports Foundation and the City of Onkaparinga, with additional funding from the South Australian and Australian governments.

For more information on the free sport programs, contact Jeffery Purves on 0481 093 908 or go to the Onkaparinga website.