The Good Village AIS Problem Solvers Program
A FREE interactive health and wellbeing program that encourages Australian primary school students to engage in design thinking and learn from high performance athletes.
About the program
The AIS is proud to partner with Nestle to launch an engaging health and wellbeing program for Australian primary school students known as The Good Village AIS Problem Solvers Program.
School information
This is an exciting opportunity for primary school students to undertake a project which encourages outside-the-box thinking and offers the chance to engage with an Australian athlete.
The program aims to teach students about what it takes to create a healthy, supportive and
sustainable village of people through unpacking a challenge within Australian sport.
The free eight-week program can be completed over a 2, 4 or 8-week period and aligns with the
Australian school curriculum while weaving in lessons in science, humanities, arts and economics.
The program is available to all Australian primary schools and can be tailored for Grades 1-6. While the program is designed to be student-led, teachers will also have access to free resources including a comprehensive teaching guide.
Schools can apply to have an AIS athlete ambassador deliver two virtual or in-person sessions as
part of the program.
Students will be given the below challenge to solve:
Challenge for Grades 1-3
With so many major sporting events kicking off on home soil over the next decade there’s now potential for an exciting new sport to be played! Can you help the AIS design a fun and inclusive sport that can be played at the upcoming International Sporting Competition in Australia?
Challenge for Grades 4-6
With so many major sporting events kicking off on home soil over the next decade, there aren’t enough sporting facilities. The AIS needs your help with designing a multi- purpose and inclusive sporting environment that will attract young people who can represent Australia in future high-performance sporting competitions.
Below is an outline of what will be covered in each lesson:
An AIS athlete ambassador will deliver a 45-minute presentation in two parts and explain the age-appropriate challenge to students.
The exploration begins! Students will learn about the key themes such as physical activity, mental wellbeing, relationships, nutrition and sustainability before commencing the creative part of the project.
Let’s get those creative juices flowing! Students will revisit the challenge and brainstorm solutions.
We now move into the designing phase of the project! Students will muster their creativity and begin to design possible solutions.
Time to choose your final design and justify your choice! Students will learn how to justify their decisions using persuasive writing.
Let’s get creating! Students will put their plans into action and start creating their designs either digitally or with physical materials.
Students will have the chance to showcase their work with others and the opportunity to engage with an athlete ambassador.
Continue your learning by joining the The Good Village mailing list to keep up to date with new website developments, such as the new ‘Yarning Circle’ area and our ‘Virtual Tour’ of the AIS.
Athlete information
High-performance athletes who are passionate about helping to educate young Australians will help deliver the program.
Each athlete will connect with a school at least four times throughout the program either in-person or online and work with students to unpack a challenge within Australian sport.
This is a great chance for athletes to connect with their local communities, strengthen their professional development skills and give back to the next generation.
Application
Ambassadors
Amy Sligar
Netball, NSWIS
I wanted to be a part of this program as it provides an amazing opportunity to give back to local kids and hopefully inspire the next gen of leaders on and off the sporting field.
Growing up I had so many role models and to have the chance to have that same impact is super exciting. I look forward to connecting with schools through this program, providing all kids with an equal opportunity to foster a healthy, holistic lifestyle.
Caitlin Bettenay
Volleyball, QAS
To identify, inspire, and ignite the next generation to believe in their dreams, solve problems, grow, and pursue greatness.
Cameron Girdlestone
Rowing, NSWIS
I have been with The Good Village program since 2020 as one of the original ambassadors. I have loved every minute of it and the reason why is simple - the program has given me the opportunity to empower, inspire and ignite the next generation of Aussie stars. It’s doesn’t have to be sport, it’s about being brave and backing yourself in whatever you want to do and The Good Village program offers every student the opportunity to achieve their goals in life.
I have had help along the way to achieve my goals and it’s important to me that I give back and help those students apart of The Good Village program achieve their goals.
Edwina Bone
Hockey, ACTAS
As an athlete, I always loved supporting young hockey players to not only strive for their dreams but also build successful stepping stones for the future. I have used the experiences and challenges I’ve faced at an elite level to assist young athletes in this process.
Now that I’ve retired and pursued a career as a teacher, The Good Village gives me the opportunity to combine my background as an athlete and knowledge as an educator to create a holistic approach to my students. I love that the program challenges students to think outside the box to address real-world issues.
I am very fortunate to have been given this platform to inspire and guide future Aussie ideas.
Jake Bensted
Judo, VIS
As we progress towards the future, there will undoubtedly be a plethora of challenges for the upcoming generations to tackle. It is important that we equip them with the mental aptitude and thinking skills to effectively address these challenges.
As an athlete, I have a unique platform and voice that can be used to create positive change in society. The Good Village AIS Problem Solvers Program allows for me to utilise my influence, inspire others to make positive changes, and impart vital critical thinking skills.
Liam Twomey
Para-Triathlon, VIS
Being an athlete affords me many great opportunities in my career, but nothing is as fulfilling as getting to engage with the next generation of students.
The Good Village Program aimed at primary school students is an exciting opportunity for not just myself, but the students to work together to tackle a problem. Primary school students are always very engaged, curious and interested to learn, so I'm excited to see what they come up with.
Olivia O'Rourke
Diving, NSWIS
Having the opportunity to educate the next generation is a strong passion of mine. I believe in the importance of being a balanced athlete ensuring I prioritise my wellbeing, sporting goals and education equally.
As an elite athlete we are challenged mentally to be resilient and think outside our comfort zone. Being a part of this program is a great opportunity to encourage the next generation to think outside the box, challenge themselves and become creative. Through my past experiences and lessons learnt, I am excited to share my strategies and techniques to strive for a common goal.
Penny Squibb
Hockey, WAIS
I am proud to be chosen as an ambassador for this program as I am passionate about educating our youth. I love the idea of how this program encourages creative and resourceful thinking to design a healthy and supportive community.
Being from a small country town I always loved having athletes visit so I am grateful to be in the position I am now to be able to help deliver this program as an athlete, and give back and hopefully inspire students to be creative, keep learning and develop new skills.
Sarah Hawe
Rowing, TIS
I am really excited to be part of this program as I am really passionate about educating and instilling healthy habits - both in sport and general life - in school children.
I am really hoping to make a difference in these children's lives and set them up for a bright future involved in sport.
Shae Graham
Wheelchair Rugby, VIS
I am excited to work as an AIS The Good Village ambassador to promote health and wellbeing to Australian primary school students and our future sports stars.
As an elite athlete, managing good health and wellbeing is essential to our physical and mental health. I am passionate about promoting and sharing good health and wellbeing practices with anyone and everyone who will listen and this program is giving me an amazing opportunity to do that. I am very excited to give back and connect with local communities, help promote good health and wellbeing and introduce primary school students to the fantastic sport of Wheelchair Rugby.
Stacey Hymer
Taekwondo, VIS
To be an ambassador for this program is important to me as it gives me the opportunity to educate young people about good mental health and wellbeing, as well as physical and sustainable practices.
Throughout my journey, I have learnt these skills to create a well-balanced lifestyle as an athlete. I am passionate to unpack these aspects with the next generation to support their lifestyle in reaching their goals.
Yale Steinepreis
Paddle, WAIS
I wanted to be a part of The Good Village program for multiple reasons. Not only because I saw it as an opportunity to engage with the wider community, but I also found it to be an exceptional way to give back to the society that supports me in my own pursuits. The program itself is unique in its ability to recognise the creativity and vision of children and find ways to engage them to help in solving real life problems, in theory equipping our very own future decision makers with the tools early in life, which I wanted to be a part of.
Further Information
For further information about this program or opportunities to be involved please contact: Laura.Hingston@ausport.gov.au