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The Northern Territory town of Wadeye has welcomed Zander Bodaghi as their new Community Sport Officer to boost community participation in local sport and healthy activities.

Bodaghi aims to make organised sport available to locals all year round and cites sport as a powerful agent for positive community and social outcomes.

Having previously worked in the tiny Kimberley community of Balgo, Bodaghi knows the impact and opportunity sports have in remote communities is a game changer and priceless.

His is one of 10 community sports officer positions being rolled out in regional and remote communities across the Northern Territory, with community sports officers in place, or being recruited for, Alice Springs, Hermannsburg, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Borroloola, Tiwi Islands, Nhulunbuy and Wadeye.

Bodaghi shares “sport provides such a good base for so many positive things in life; from engaging in school to living a healthy lifestyle, to simply being so exhausted you get a good night’s sleep. You can see the kids’ faces just light up as soon as they see a footy or a basketball.

“When I was a kid growing up in Darwin any opportunity there was to chase a ball around was something I looked forward too, that feeling is amplified in these small remote communities.

“There is so much talent and enthusiasm for sport in remote communities and I’m really privileged that I get the opportunity to harness that in Wadeye.”

“My goal is to work with the community and service providers to make sure that there is always some form of sport the community can engage in throughout the year.”

Northern Territor Minister for Sport, Kate Worden notes “The Northern Territory has such a proud and rich sporting tradition, and so much of it comes from the remarkable athletes we have in our remotest communities.

“You only need to have been to an AFL game on the Tiwi Islands to know how significant sports programs are for our regional and remote communities.”

“These positions will ensure remote and regional Territorians have participation opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing and support them to be active in their community.”

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