Doonside Technology High School is a comprehensive high school in Greater Western Sydney located to the west of Blacktown. One of the most culturally diverse student populations numbering 700, Doonside has an significant representation of students from Pasifika, Aboriginal and refugee backgrounds.
In 2021, and following the prolonged school lockdown and global pandemic, the leadership team had noted certain cohorts of students were lacking the same interpersonal connection that flourished pre-pandemic, and was looking to reinvigorate the relationships with feeder primary schools in a positive and novel way.
In stepped Creating Chances and the Positive Rugby Foundation, NSW Rugby’s official charity and social impact program. The co-designed Rugby Tackle Life program was delivered by qualified rugby coaches amongst Creating Chances’ staff, and was designed to achieve the following outcomes:
(1) Participation: to improve access to Rugby Union and increase participation rates Western Sydney.
(2) Leadership: To develop the capacity of young people in Western Sydney to lead positive change in their community through Rugby Union and social and emotional learning.
(3) Community: To promote community cohesion and social connectedness by bringing communities together in a positive way.
Doonside Technology High School was one of 8 high schools across the Greater Western Sydney region that participated in the Rugby Tackle Life inaugural program, complementing the existing pathway programs, Wellbeing Days and professional development training that Creating Chances delivered in the school.
Throughout the program elements of Creating Chances’ Future Pathways employment skills program were delivered, and brought to life during the first ever NSW Waratahs HQ Careers Day, that combined with Smart Rugby Coaching Accreditation.
Doonside students joined 120 other program participants to connect and collaborate with Waratahs players and coaching staff and attain their SMART Rugby Coaching accreditation, while exploring non-playing career opportunities available in rugby in NSW.
“The Program has given us opportunities to see things differently, for example no one would trust us enough to take us to the primary school to run activities with the students and Creating Chances & Rugby Tackle Life did, so it made us appreciate the program.” Max – Year 10 student
Upon completing the Rugby Tackle Life program, Charley was motivated to further develop her coaching and leadership skills, with a view to studying Early Childhood Education or Teaching at University once she had graduated from school. Creating Chances’ 2-year School-based Trainee program was the perfect fit, and Charley attained a Cert 3 in Sport Coaching upon completion.
We see a measurable impact in our Rugby Tackle Life programs, noting improvements in optimism & sense of belonging (+10.4%) resilience (+12.5%), and in self-efficacy (17.6%) in program participants between when they started and when they finished.
At Creating Chances, we connect ideas, inspire growth, and empower young people to build confidence, resilience, and optimism for a brighter future.
