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Community, connection & cognition: the role of sport at Jenny’s Early Learning
Freya Lucas
Mar 04, 2025
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Sports clubs, particularly in rural and regional settings, have a way of bringing communities together. More than just a way to remain physically active and fit, participation in sports offers people of all ages a sense of belonging, a shared interest, and a way to feel connected to the community.
Community is a crucial element of what makes approved provider Jenny’s Early Learning different. Across the network, which stretches from Bendigo, to Ballarat and down into the Geelong region, in Victoria, the team behind Jenny’s Early Learning understands the importance of making meaningful connections and contributions to the communities they operate in.“When we look to join a community as an early learning partner one of the first things we do is seek opportunities to be meaningfully involved,” Jess Hourigan, Community Engagement Manager said.
“Over the years it’s been a pleasure to have the opportunity to create sponsorships and partnerships with clubs and causes which have strong ties to the families and communities we work with.”
Jenny’s Early Learning sponsors and partners with a variety of clubs, teams and events including:
- Bendigo Ford Fun Run
- Bendigo Spirit Basketball Team
- Bendigo Braves Basketball Team
- Grovedale Tigers Football Club
- Lara United Soccer Club
For Lorraine Kulic - Sponsorship Coordinator Lara Giants Basketball Club having the support of Jenny’s Early Learning has made a tremendous impact, allowing the club to maintain close connections to the community.
“Jenny’s Early Learning Centres provide an environment that allows children to explore, discover, imagine and create – which is why they were the perfect fit to couple with our mini giants program for 3 to 6 year olds,” Ms Kulic said.
“Their commitment to grassroots sport helps introduce children to basic basketball skills and the joy of being part of a team from an early age, while strengthening the sense of community that clubs like ours thrive on. It’s wonderful to partner with an organisation that truly values the role local sport plays in shaping confident, healthy, and connected kids.”
Bendigo Spirit General Manager Dan Jackson agreed, saying “At Bendigo Spirit, we believe sport has the power to inspire, connect, and build stronger communities. Through our partnership with Jenny’s Early Learning, we’re able to engage young children in the excitement of basketball and encourage a lifelong love for being active. Jenny’s commitment to community sport goes beyond sponsorship—it’s about fostering confidence, teamwork, and belonging from the earliest years. By supporting initiatives like ours, they’re helping to create not just future athletes, but future community leaders who understand the value of connection and participation.”
For Jenny’s Early Learning, these opportunities to support events and sporting teams represent not only a deep commitment to the communities they serve, but also to demonstrate and support the deep links between children’s physical activity and how they grow and develop on a cognitive and social/emotional level.
Grounded in science
There is a well-established link between physical activity and cognitive development in children, with research highlighting how movement supports brain function, learning outcomes, and overall wellbeing. Research continuously shows that children who engage in regular physical activity demonstrate improved memory, concentration, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience.
Jenny’s Early Learning understands that learning extends beyond the classroom, and happens in a variety of ways, and has therefore made a commitment to community sport that reflects their belief in the foundational role of physical activity in early development.
“Through sponsorships and partnerships with local sporting clubs, we actively contribute to fostering lifelong healthy habits for children while strengthening our connection with the wider community,” Jess Hourigan, Head of Community Engagement said.
Creating community
As well as fostering a strong sense of community, the emphasis on sport and children’s physical development has benefits for the community both today and tomorrow, with movement having an impact on ‘soft skills’ like resilience, teamwork and problem solving - all attributes which thriving communities need to be strong and include diverse perspectives and points of view.
Jenny’s Early Learning takes a holistic approach to the development of children, recognising the importance of children not only being physically strong and capable, but also of them having good mental health, and being active contributors to their communities.
The learning environments at each of Jenny's services are constructed to encourage movement and play based learning, with the outdoor spaces especially geared towards active play.
“Right from the start we made a commitment to ensure that each of the children in our care develops healthy habits from an early age,” Darren Reid, CEO of Jenny’s ELC said.
“We work in partnership with our families and our communities to ensure that children are active, engaged and connected, and that our community connections are centred on promoting physical health for the whole family.”
An environment of nurture and care
The connection and compassion for community that Jenny’s Early Learning creates is not limited just to children and families. For staff - both current and potential - Jenny’s is an employer that cares.
“Our commitment to local sport reflects our core value of community and investment in the wellbeing of children, first and foremost, but also of our teams,” Mr Reid said.
“We’re all about nurture - for our children, for our staff, and for the communities we serve.”
“Working with Jenny’s means being part of a team that understands the bigger picture—supporting families and local initiatives that enhance early childhood development.”
Would you like to learn more about working for Jenny’s Early Learning? Check out the dedicated careers page here. Families interested in enrolling their children can visit this page to learn more.
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