Sports Facility Development Plan (10 years) - Brimbank City Council

Cultural diversityBrimbank is one of the most culturally diverse municipalities in Australia. Over 150different languages are spoken across the municipality and more than half thepopulation speaks a language other than English. Brimbank is a significant WesternRegion gateway for overseas migrants. In more recent years residents from India,China, Vietnam and African countries have increased.ImplicationsThe cultural diversity of the Brimbank community means that there are variedsporting needs to consider when providing sports facilities in the City. Particularsports have higher participation rates in Brimbank than the state average, due toBrimbank’s large overseas-born population. For example, there has been asignificant increase in soccer participation in the municipality due to the overallincrease in the migrant population and African-born residents specifically.Council needs to provide culturally appropriate facilities and programs that cater forthis diverse community.Sporting environments need to be inclusive of the whole community and ensuresafe, supportive and culturally inclusive environments for women, IndigenousAustralians, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities andpeople with disabilities.PARTICIPATION IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY – A DETERMINANT OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. RESEARCHSUMMARY, VICHEALTHTraditionally, new migrants are more likely to participate in sport if they are able todo so with people from their own culture. This is particularly relevant for peoplefrom emerging communities who want to feel safe and welcome in their newenvironments.Inclusive and accessible sport and recreation programs can play an important rolein supporting newly arrived and refugee young people settling in Australia.CMY 2007Council should support these groups by providing facilities that allow for culturalgroups to play sport together in the short term with the aim of integrating theminto the wider sporting community in the medium to long term.Sport and recreational activities have the capacity to bring people from diversebackgrounds to watch, participate and organise together.PARTICIPATION IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY – A DETERMINANT OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. RESEARCHSUMMARY, VICHEALTHIt is therefore critical for Council to require existing sports clubs who operate onCouncil facilities or receive financial support to become more inclusive andwelcoming to the diverse cultural groups in Brimbank.SPORTS FACILITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN33