In the modern educational landscape, behaviour management has evolved beyond traditional disciplinary measures. Schools today are shifting toward the “Care Continuum,” a multi-tiered support system that prioritizes Universal Prevention and Restorative Practices over purely punitive actions.
At the heart of this shift is the understanding that when students feel connected, successful, and empowered to thrive, they are best positioned to achieve their potential. The Creating Chances Champions and Coaches Program has emerged as a vital tool for schools in achieving these outcomes.
The Champions program is specifically designed for students in Years 7 to 9, focusing on social and emotional learning (SEL) through sport. By utilizing experiential learning, the program explicitly teaches skills like self-awareness, resilience, and conflict management. Quantitative data from 2024 reveals the profound impact of this approach: participating students showed a 14.3% improvement in resilience and a 17.3% boost in self-efficacy.
These improvements aren’t just statistics; they translate into a positive school culture. In schools like Shoalhaven High School, these programs are integrated into the behaviour management plan to help students develop the self-regulation strategies necessary to navigate complex social environments.
As students progress to the Coach program (Years 9 to 11), the focus shifts toward leadership and agency. Students are trained to design and deliver sports sessions for local primary schools or support units, such as the Elouera Unit at Illawarra Sports High School.
This creates a “safe and brave” environment where students take personal responsibility for the safety and enjoyment of others. Staff have observed that even initially shy students gain the confidence to interact with adults and greet peers in corridors, rather than avoiding interaction. One student noted, the program provided a sense of purpose: “I have a bit more of a goal now that I have done a Creating Chances program.”
The most striking evidence of the program’s success is its impact on school engagement and attendance. For many disengaged learners, Creating Chances provides the primary motivation to come to school. Mid-year 2025 evaluation data shows that 73% of participants feel like coming to school more because of the program.
Qualitative feedback highlights a direct correlation with improved behaviour. Students report that they are “getting in less trouble” and believe they have been “suspended less” since joining the program. At Wyong High School, participation led to an 11.8% increase in students “liking school” and a 7.5% uplift in their sense of belonging.
By aligning with the NSW Wellbeing Framework, Creating Chances helps schools move toward a model of “transformational collaboration”. When students are trusted to lead and given the tools to regulate their own emotions, the need for intensive individual intervention decreases. Programs like these prove that by “lighting a spark” through sport, schools can develop the resilient, responsible, and engaged citizens of tomorrow.
To learn more about our Champions and Coaches programs contact us
