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Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is committed to being an inclusive organisation open to all who wish to participate regardless of age, gender, disability, cultural and linguistic background or sexual orientation (Surf Life Saving Australia, 2010). Aspirational values of equity, social responsibility and volunteerism, aim to give all people an opportunity for a "fair go". However the challenge of creating socially diverse communities within SLSA, by attracting and retaining participants from diverse backgrounds, was identified in a recent study regarding the social impact of SLSA (Edwards, Onyx, Maxwell and Darcy, 2012). This research explores how some SLSA members have implemented inclusive programs for recent migrants or refugees unfamiliar with Australian surf conditions, indigenous Australians and those with various physical abilities. A survey of surf lifesaving clubs was deployed, which collected examples of socially inclusive programs. A total of 29 programs were described. These included 'migration2surf', 'bush2beach' and special 'Nippers' initiatives. Of the 29 programs, six were identified as case studies for further investigation. The case studies comprised interviews and documentary evidence with key stakeholders, which were analysed using Bailey's (2005, 2008) social inclusion framework, encompassing spatial, relational, functional and power dimensions. Findings indicated a range of practices which broke down barriers, reduced costs, overcame community anxieties and changed community perceptions of SLSA. Practices which facilitated inclusion involved partnerships with community organisations, deployment of community champions, developing new skills, and promoting friendships, social support mechanisms, and practices, all of which increased confidence and independence in participants.

Item Type:	Conference Extract
Keywords:	Social inclusion, community sport, Surf Life-saving
Research Division:	Human Society
Research Group:	Sociology
Research Field:	Social change
Objective Division:	Culture and Society
Objective Group:	Sport, exercise and recreation
Objective Field:	Organised sports
UTAS Author:	Maxwell, H (Dr Hazel Maxwell)
ID Code:	102447
Year Published:	2013
Deposited By:	Health Sciences
Deposited On:	2015-08-21
Last Modified:	2015-08-21
Downloads:	0