Camp Australia wraps up inaugural National Handball Championship in sector first

Jason Roberts

May 05, 2021

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Camp Australia, Australia’s largest outside school hours care (OSHC) provider, have completed their National Handball Championship which saw over 400 children between 6 to 12 years old go head to head in the finals of the inaugural event.

Participants were winners of Camp Australia’s in-service championships, held throughout Term 1 and during the Autumn school holidays with over 13,600 total children participating over all and is the first such event created by a major provider of ECEC service in Australia.

Camp Australia Chief Operating Officer, Brett Comer said the National Handball Championship was designed to support the physical and mental well-being of children throughout 2021.

“Our research highlighted that following 2020, parents and principals observed a significant decrease in children’s physical and mental well-being because of the loss of participation in sports.”

“Part of our response to COVID-19 continues in activities that guide children’s growth, such as the National Handball Championships to reconnect friendships whilst making physical activity accessible and fun to any child.”

“The Championships have been helpful in prioritising the physical wellbeing of students following a year of COVID lockdowns,” he added.

Sporting stars from across the country including Freemantle AFLW star Kara Antonio and top AFL team St Kilda Football Club came together to show their support for the competition with important messages for children.

Kara Antonio said: “Bringing fun, physical activity to kids is always crucial to their health and wellbeing. It was exciting to be part of this unique collaboration to bring the National Handball Championships to kids around the country. It is an awesome initiative to get kids moving and socialising again in a positive, healthy environment.”

World No. 1 tennis player Ash Barty donated a signed top for the event, which became a good sportsmanship award and won by Lakeside College student Tahira. Veteran sprinter Ed Ware, recent winner of the Stawell Gift, also attended Hughesdale Primary School to support the children taking part in the championship.

A total of twelve winners were announced from across Australia with each winning $1,000 prize.

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