Creating new sports opportunities for older Victorians

Want to play sport for 'fun' without the pressures of competition?

Back in the Game is a sport opportunity specifically designed for older players.

Designed for players over 55 years who want to participate in a 'friendly', non-competitive environment, where the emphasis is on participation and fun.

Games are modified for safety and to fit in with an informal and social spirit.

Minimal equipment required.

It provides a fun, easy and safe way for past players - and new players - to enjoy participating in sport with people your own age and ability level.

Fun! … play a sport you once loved, laugh, and have a good time
Stay active … increase your energy levels, exercise safely and avoid injury
Friends … meet new playing partners – and make new friends
'Play' the game … games are social and lots of fun

Come along and see how easy it is to get Back in the Game!

Back in the Game

	Back in the Game - Tennis	Geelong Lawn Tennis Club Sommers St, BELMONT Contact: Ken Barton Ph: 5243 2819 E: admin@geelonglawntc.com.au www.geelonglawntc.com.au
	More info: Back in the Game - Cricket	Contact: Robyn Alexander, COTA Victoria Ph: 9655 2113 E: physicalactivity@cotavic.org.au
	More info: Back in the Game - Futsal	Leisuretime Centre Anakie Rd, BELL POST HILL Contact: Robyn Alexander, COTA Victoria Ph: 9655 2113 E: physicalactivity@cotavic.org.au
	Back in the Game - Badminton	Leisuretime Centre Anakie Rd, BELL POST HILL Contact: Robyn Alexander, COTA Victoria Ph: 9655 2113 E: physicalactivity@cotavic.org.au
	Back in the Game - Volleyball	Contact: Robyn Alexander, COTA Victoria Ph: 9655 2113 E: physicalactivity@cotavic.org.au

Back in the Game is a pilot project led by COTA Victoria, working together with sporting organisations, to create new sports opportunities for older people.
The pilot phase is planned for 12 months, from September 2008 until June 2009 and will focus on the City of Greater Geelong.
The purpose of the pilot phase is to develop and test an effective and replicable model that can be implemented by various sports.

The Back in the Game model is adopted by a local sports club, with the support of COTA Victoria and the relevant state sport governing body (State Sporting Association).

Typically, regular, weekly (usually off-peak) playing sessions are offered.

The playing sessions adopt an informal, recreational approach, with no competitions, set teams or game schedules to organise.

The playing group is encouraged to be largely self-reliant, with players coordinating their own activities.

Back in the Game is designed around guiding principles :

a sports club introduces a seniors' section (like a junior section)
a focus on non-competitive participation, with an informal approach - minimal rules and regulations
emphasis on social interaction - providing a fun and enjoyable experience
older people (from within the sports club and outside) are encouraged to be involved from the outset in the set-up of the seniors' section
the seniors' section to be (largely) self-reliant group – participants coordinate their own activities
players to become members of the sports club

Back in the Game - promotes the social, fun and health benefits of sport in a non-competitive environment.
Brought to you by COTA Victoria, VicHealth, Leisure Networks, Tennis Victoria, Geelong Lawn Tennis Club, Cricket Victoria, Football Federation Victoria, Leisuretime Centre, City of Greater Geelong, Badminton Victoria, and Badminton Geelong.

For more information please contact Robyn Alexander, Project Officer, COTA Victoria on 9655 2113 or physicalactivity@cotavic.org.au

COTA-PICSAR Project

COTA understands the key role physical activity plays in enabling older people to age well, and has a commitment to campaign for policies and programs that encourage and enable people to be active as they age.

Sport and recreation has great potential to offer a wide range of enjoyable activities for older people, that brings physical activity as well as social benefits.

While we typically see older people involved gentle, 'age-appropriate' activities, such as lawn bowls, swimming, golf, and walking, we need to broaden our view of what is suitable, beneficial and enjoyable for older people. It is important to provide a range of sport, fitness and recreational activities.

Opportunities for physical activity should not be limited by age.

The COTA-PICSAR model is designed to assist community sports clubs provide sport and recreational activities that will appeal to older people – and sports clubs.

It offers practical suggestions for developing a form of sports participation that is successful with seniors. It is based on COTAs previous work with Keen-Agers (a table tennis program specifically tailored for older players), plus our work in developing and managing a strength-training program (Living Longer Living Stronger™) for older participants. Tennis Victoria has also helped shape the model gained from their experience with the popular Seniors' Social Tennis program. It also draws from a wide range of current evidence, literature and research around older people's participation in physical activity.

For more information click here