Twelve Charles Sturt University (CSU) students from the School of Human Movement Studies in Bathurst will fly to Samoa at the end of October to promote the game of rugby union to primary and high school students in the capital, Apia.
Dr Matthew Winslade, lecturer at the School of Human Movement Studies will accompany and supervise the students. He said the University’s participation is part of the Pacific in Union: Mass Participation Program – Rugby4Schools, which, in its initial phase in 2012, targets three countries; Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands.
“The Pacific in Union program offers benefits for its students and for communities in the host nation, and is a wonderful opportunity for pre-service teachers from Charles Sturt University to gain international work experience and contribute to the development of individuals, the sport of rugby union, and the community of Pacific nations,” Dr Winslade said.
“Our participation is possible because of the formal recognition by the Australian Rugby Union, the International Rugby Board and the Australian Government of the University’s capacity to provide expertise that promotes the objectives and desired outcomes of the Australian Sports Outreach Program’s Pacific Sports Partnerships.”
The students’ work experience trip to Samoa is supported by CSU Global, and is possible due to the CSU Faculty of Education Pre-service Teaching program. Its key objectives are to:
- Give students a valuable insight into teaching in a different cultural context;
- Make a contribution to the schools where CSU students are assigned and to build an ongoing relationship between the Bathurst education community and Samoan schools;
- Gain a greater appreciation and understanding of schooling in a different cultural setting;
- Acquire an increased capacity to reflect on teaching practices;
- Increase inter-cultural competence.
Dr Winslade said the CSU students have attended professional development training in Bathurst and will attend a cultural awareness workshop in Samoa before they engage with school students there.
“Our students will also be supported in their roles in the classroom and on the playing fields by Australian and Samoan rugby union officials,” he said.
“I believe the Pacific in Union program will make a genuine contribution to participating schools and will have a positive impact on all the students involved in the program.”
The Australian Rugby Union, the International Rugby Board and Australian government share the vision of using Rugby-based activities to help improve the lives of individuals, families and communities in identified countries in Oceania. The three organisations have entered into a partnership, with funding from AusAID through the Australian Sports Outreach Program’s Pacific Sports Partnerships to deliver this vision. The program is aligned with the United Nations Millenium Development Goals.
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