Junior athletes receive a nourishing lift

Sports clubs are an important space for families to enjoy a fun, active lifestyle. Our Healthy Kids Advisors initiative supports 48 community sports clubs to introduce more fuelling foods and refreshing drinks to their kiosks, fundraisers and community gatherings.

Our locally-based Healthy Kids Advisor in Mildura, Tara Martin, has been living and breathing sporting culture since an early age. She's used her sports club networks and real-life insights to build meaningful relationships with volunteers and managers. Together, they’re providing healthy variety and nourishing food to benefit the strength and wellbeing of young players.

“Healthy, fresh food and drink is important for junior athletes,” says Tara. “Especially during their sports activities after school. Whether training or playing on game day, they need that energy to get through.”

Tara’s familiarity with the sporting scene in Mildura has been a head start to encourage clubs to try a new direction with their food and drink. Through conversation and a deep understanding of the importance of passionate volunteers to help run these spaces, Tara has jumped in to offer clubs practical, in-person support. Her contagious positivity has inspired 11 clubs to make positive adjustments to their food service. Seven of these clubs are working with Tara to complete the state-wide movement, Vic Kids Eat Well.

Working alongside community health partners

Jacinta Yetman leads the Sunraysia Community Health Services (SCHS) population health team, which focuses on public health messages in schools, childhood centres, sporting clubs, and kindergartens. Since 2021, Jacinta and her team have had the bonus addition of Tara in their offices to support the work already happening. They’ve been working collaboratively to bolster the community’s healthy eating needs.

“Tara's role as a Healthy Kids Advisor really supports our work,” says Jacinta. “Having a local person as an Adviser has brought us local connections with sporting groups that we may not have previously tapped into or had much to do with. Her engagement and experience with sporting clubs has helped build those relationships.”

SCHS share a common vision with the Healthy Kids Advisors initiative. Jacinta explains, “It's not necessarily about making good food the only option; it's about adding to the existing menus and having more options for young people to experience and enjoy. Suppose we can encourage a traditional barbecue with a side salad. In that case, it becomes normal for children to see it and understand that these healthy options can be everyday options, which I think is really valuable.”

Influencing change at Waratahs Hockey Club

Part of the Sunraysia Hockey Association, Waratahs Hockey Club is a family-orientated place focused on getting the best food into the canteen for their juniors. They do this by organising monthly dinners after training and including fresh options in their kiosk menus and healthy BBQ fundraisers. With Tara’s assistance, they aim to reduce soft drinks and become a water-only association. Tara has supported the club in introducing new variety to their meals, with simple, cost-effective soups, salads, rolls and toasties now available.

At one of their recent training night BBQs, Tara provided recipes and hands-on help in the kitchen to prepare a coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad and a garden salad for everyone to enjoy with their regular offering of sausages, hamburgers and chicken steaks.

Adding variety to Mildura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Mildura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu trains roughly 100 young athletes, with classes running six days per week. Their young members head to the club straight after school, so owner Luke Burnham decided to provide snacks and drinks to recharge them before their active jiu jitsu class. At first, he offered instant noodle cups and packaged muesli bars to try and help them sustain their energy.

Since Tara reached out, offering her free, tailored support, Luke was able to start adding in healthier, fresh options, including homemade chicken noodle soup, berry and banana smoothies and toasted sandwiches filled with ham, spinach, tomato and cheese. They often freeze the sandwiches ready for the toastie machine the next day and are aiming to use more wholemeal bread.

“We’re providing a place for these guys to become fitter, so we needed to do something better. Once Tara contacted me, that’s when it flicked a switch. There are better options we can do, and they’re not that hard.”

Luke Burnham, owner of Mildura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Luke believes healthy food is critical for young athletes, but it’s an area that most sports clubs don’t offer enough of. He explains when children head to sports clubs to move and keep fit, it goes against their body's needs if they’re snacking on processed food and sugary drinks while waiting for their classes to start. Healthier food helps them be clearer when they’re training, whereas having a greasy, heavy snack sitting in their belly when trying to do Jiu Jitsu never works well.

“I think it’s important for more clubs to offer this as an option for the kids,” explains Luke. “Giving them a healthier option is going to benefit their overall performance and their lifestyle. Kids need this from an early age to get them into a good habit; it's important.”

Our Advisors support clubs of all sizes to provide healthy, cost-effective menu adjustments and fresh fundraising ideas for young athletes and families to enjoy. Reach out to us to learn more and get involved.

About the Healthy Kids Advisors initiative 

The Healthy Kids Advisors initiative is delivered by the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and supported by the Victorian Government and Australian Government. 

This community engagement initiative is active in 13 priority communities to spread pleasurable food education and encourage participation in the state-wide Vic Kids Eat Well movement. 

In collaboration with local health promoters, Council and community, our Advisors offer free support and simple ideas to boost healthy and delicious food and drink in schools, sports clubs, after-hours care and council-run facilities. 

Want more information?

Visit the Healthy Kids Advisors news page or contact us at hka@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au

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