Active After Hours

Project summary:

The Latrobe Valley community is taking positive strides toward improving physical literacy levels across all ages, helping build healthier and more active lives. Low physical literacy, which encompasses physical skills, social competence, and emotional maturity, has been linked to poorer health outcomes. Recognising this challenge, a collaborative response has been underway to drive change and increase opportunities for physical activity.

In 2021, the Physical Literacy Working Group (PLWG) began addressing this need using the Triple Diamond model. With funding from the Latrobe Health Assembly, a scoping project ran between July and December 2022 to uncover barriers, opportunities, and recommendations for improving physical literacy in the Latrobe Valley.

The resulting report, submitted in February 2023, identified 12 key recommendations, all endorsed by the PLWG and the Latrobe Health Assembly Board through the Physical Literacy Charter. A major theme highlighted was the need to improve access to safe and inclusive spaces for physical activity, particularly at schools and local sporting clubs.

Survey participants pinpointed barriers such as poor lighting, concerns about safety, and limited access to spaces after hours, particularly during the cooler months. One significant recommendation from the report (Recommendation 12) proposed expanding community access to school and sporting facilities to address these challenges.

Lighting Up the Valley: A Community Partnership
In response, the Latrobe Health Assembly partnered with Latrobe City Council and local sporting clubs to improve access to recreation spaces. Sporting reserves around the Latrobe Valley were lit up after hours, allowing the community to safely engage in physical activity at no cost during winter evenings when grounds were not otherwise in use.

The project aimed to increase opportunities for physical activity throughout winter and encourage greater use of local facilities, particularly at night. A total of 11 sporting clubs across the Latrobe Valley participated, and the initiative has been met with overwhelmingly positive community feedback:

• “Wonderful idea.”
• “This is a great initiative.”
• “Thanks, guys! The crew made good use of Gaskin tonight!”
• “Such a great idea, and yes, I did.”
• “Fabulous initiative—thank you, Latrobe Health Assembly.”

Next Steps
Through the Physical Literacy Charter and its recommendations, the PLWG continues to support initiatives that address barriers and improve access to physical activity opportunities. By lighting up community spaces and fostering collaborative solutions, the Latrobe Valley is taking meaningful steps toward increasing physical literacy, building safer environments, and improving health outcomes for all.