Intro
Photo: Sidney North. Photo by DancePro Photography.
Practiced by over 14 clubs and 1200 registered participants each year, Calisthenics continues to grow, shaping the sports strong history and presence in Western Australia.
To develop the next generation of participants, the Calisthenics Association of Western Australia (CAWA) identified the need to provide recreational coaching opportunities to their volunteers, to ensure the sport continues to deliver joy and fun through exercise.
Through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries’ (DLGSC) Coaching and Officiating grant program, CAWA, alongside the Australian Calisthenics Federation (ACF), implemented the National Level 1 Recreational Coaching qualification in Western Australia.
17-year-old Stellar Calisthenics Club volunteer, Sidney North, has become Western Australia’s first Recreational Calisthenics Coach, with her ‘Tinies’ age group. Reflecting on the program and experience, Sidney said:
“It was an easy, fun course to follow. The best part was learning all the different things I can do as a recreational coach and most of all, the excitement of knowing I can finally live out my dream of starting my coaching dreams earlier than expected.”
Photo: Sidney North with her students at the Stellar Calisthenics Club. Photo by Stellar Calisthenics Club.
With the success of the CAWA pilot program, further courses will be scheduled towards the end of 2024. Commenting on the program and grant opportunity, CAWA Development Officer Ally Apeldoorn said:
“Through DLGSC’s Coaching and Officiating Grant, we have been able to facilitate an entirely new category for the sport in WA. We’re thrilled to be able to create opportunities for those who love the sport the most and support them as they inspire the next generation of Calisthenics participants as Recreational Qualified Coaches.”
DLGSC has awarded over $430,000 to the sport and recreation industry in WA, to support and develop the coaching and officiating capabilities of Western Australian volunteers.
In celebration of National Volunteer Week, DLGSC is proud to showcase the achievements of Western Australian sport and recreation volunteers.