AusLeisure

In an important event that marked a pivotal step towards transforming Western Sydney's physical landscape, Collective Leisure convened the WSYD Moving Symposium on 16th November 2023.

Held at the state-of-the-art Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST), this Symposium was the first official event at the impressive $100 million facility, championing a cause crucial to the region - the reduction of physical inactivity and inequalities.

With 105 delegates attending from diverse sectors across the physical activity system, sectors represented included academia, education, public health, government, leisure, health, sport, recreation, peak bodies, not-for-profits, private enterprise, disability, and social enterprise.

This groundbreaking day was supported by 30 speakers representing different facets of the Western Sydney system.

It included a session centred around the Inner Development Goals, highlighting the transformative skills crucial for sustainable development. Addressing the root causes of inequity, it emphasized that change originates within oneself and influences our interactions within the system.

The symposium kicked off with a resonating 'setting the scene' presentation by the Centre for Western Sydney, highlighting the high need for this initiative in the area.

Two community voices presented from Parkrun and AFL Giants to ground delegates and provide on the ground stories about the importance of physical activity for the community.

The symposium encapsulated engaging discussions across four panels, each comprising four panelists and a host. These discussions delved into critical topics:

• Early-age school physical education and physical literacy programs in Western Sydney
• How do we empower individuals to increase physical activity in communities that are socially and economically more deprived in Western Sydney?
• How can we build a ‘coalition of the willing’ and collaborate with a shared vision to reduce physical inactivity?
• How can Local Government support our mission to enable more active lives in Western Sydney as a Collective?

Following Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale opening the Symposium, event convenor and MC David Burns commenced the day with a WSYD Moving vision presentation and brought it to a conclusion with the 'Bringing it all together’ an Open Forum and interactive session giving all participants the chance to contribute to the future directions and aims of WSYD Moving.

This symposium was a hallmark moment for WSYD Moving, a culmination of more than a year of cross-sectoral collaboration and advocacy to develop a comprehensive initiative aimed at fostering more active lives across Western Sydney.

WSYD Moving is an initiative by Collective Leisure who have been working on this project for 18 months arising from their passion for social justice and improving health and well-being. Collective Leisure is an organisation established in 2019, renowned for its impactful physical and well-being programs tailored for underserved communities.

In a testament to their commitment, Collective Leisure’s efforts were recently recognised by Parks and Leisure Australia, securing the prestigious Community-Based Initiative of the Year Award 2023 as a ‘business for good’ at the National Awards of Excellence in October.

However, central to the mission of Collective Leisure, driven by its founder David Burns, is the recognition that although it delivers inclusive programs supporting communities, the enterprise is part of the problem, only adding to the system while health inequity and inequalities are getting worse.

In a transformative move, Collective Leisure initiated WSYD Moving in June 2022, steadily establishing a Western Sydney network centered around a free bi-monthly Community of Practice open to all.

This platform acts as a mechanism to share best practices, exchange information, and connect the dots to work more collaboratively.

Collective Leisure's efforts in leading WSYD Moving are pro bono with investment needed to fully realise the projects potential. To support the enterprise convening the symposium crucial support was extended by pivotal partners from across the system as early adopters below.

• Blacktown City Council
• Western Sydney University
• WentWest
• South Western Sydney Local Health District
• AFL
• Western Sydney Local Health District
• Substance (UK)
• Heart Foundation
• Outdoors NSW/ACT
• Sydney Sports Management Group
• Wicked Lab

Regarding the symposium, Burns explained “it was a privilege to convene a significant portion of the Western Sydney system to discuss ideas, foster connections and build a ‘movement for movement’ in Western Sydney through a whole-of-system approach.

“Exciting times lie ahead.”

The next steps include the development of a White Paper by Collective Leisure, which will be peer-reviewed by Western Sydney University and the University of Technology Sydney.

The aim is to encapsulate the journey thus far, offering recommendations to progress WSYD Moving.

For more information go to www.wsydmoving.com.au/ or www.collectiveleisure.com.au/

Image: Attendees at the inaugural WSYD Moving Symposium.

Related Articles

7th December 2023 - NSW Government releases draft Places to Swim guideline document

5th December 2023 - Collective Leisure secures National Award for championing social impact

22nd November 2023 - Sydney’s Woollahra Council to revisit tennis court management after objectors concerns at use by children

19th November 2023 - Cathy Freeman opens new Blacktown sports hub

3rd October 2023 - Symposium looks to address issues of inactivity and inequality in Western Sydney

24th August 2023 - Blacktown City SportsFest returns in 2023 showcasing the best of local sport

6th June 2023 - Award win recognises Collective Leisure as a ‘business for good’

2nd May 2023 - James Ellender moves from ActiveXchange to Head AFL’s Western Sydney Expansion Hub

3rd April 2023 - Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope stages sport for all abilities event

23rd February 2023 - Collective Leisure launches new Advisory Board

16th January 2023 - Disability Sport Centre of Excellence to be built within Blacktown International Sportspark

11th October 2022 - Blacktown City Council issues expressions of interest for multiple opportunities at the BEST Stage 2 development

27th September 2022 - Queensland Government announces funding of 23 social enterprises ahead of Social Enterprise World Forum in Brisbane

31st May 2022 - Collective Leisure host free online event to address health inequity in Western Sydney

8th October 2021 - Re-certification opens doors for Collective Leisure

17th September 2020 - Collective Leisure becomes Australia’s first social enterprise leisure management company and forms partnership with ACPE

15th July 2020 - Campbelltown Aquafit assures members with recognition of its ‘Gold Standard’ COVID-19 compliance

16th April 2020 - Collective Leisure looks to enable ‘wellbeing without boundaries’

8th April 2020 - Western Leisure Services launches Social Engagement Program during COVID-19

31st August 2018 - Popular Western Sydney women’s gym reopens in Bankstown

4th May 2016 - Heart Foundation backs active cities plan

17th June 2013 - South Eastern Sydney Local Health District takes a lead with advice on outdoor gyms

20th April 2012 - Rooty Hill RSL develops major aquatic and gymnastics facility

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.