Betio Community Club - Kiribati

The purpose of the Betio Community Club (BCC) is to provide: ‘quality sports activities run by trained youth to benefit targeted community members’.

BCC aims to assist in:

• increasing the capacity of people in participating communities to manage sport and physical activity programs
• increasing the capacity of young people to deliver regular, organised and inclusive sport and physical activity sessions
• improving the physical and social health of community members through participation in physical activities.

Structure

The BCC program is run through the government-owned Betio Sports Complex. Trained Betio Sport Leaders conduct a program of quality weekly activities which usually include volleyball and basketball. Other sports and physical activities available at the complex include football (soccer), table tennis, aerobics, fundamental movement skills and traditional I-Kiribati games.

Partners

Betio Community Club is directed by the Kiribati Ministry of Internal and Social Affairs and Betio Town Council. There are also links to the health and labour sectors at community and national levels.

Participation

The Betio Community Club program provides all members of the Betio community with opportunities for participation through specific strategies designed to include vulnerable groups such as unemployed young people, women, children, mature aged people and people with a disability.

Selected members of the Betio community will also be able to access training and mentoring to coordinate and conduct BCC activities.

Implementation

The BCC program is organised through a volunteer-based management committee that coordinates the sport activities run by the Betio Sport Leaders.

A BCC coordinator employed by the Ministry of Internal and Social Affairs supports and assists club growth through the BCC Advisory Committee. This committee provides advice on club development and works to foster government and community links. The Australian Sports Commission provides this group with ongoing strategic and operational support

‘The Sports Complex is already used by children and youth each afternoon but as the Betio Community Club grows, it will become a major focus of activity for all segments of the community throughout each week.’
Kautu Temakei — Betio Community Club Coordinator