What We Do
OUR VISION IS TO CREATE AN EQUITABLE, HEALTHIER AND SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA
…by delivering unique health & fitness programs and recycled sports equipment to remote and under-serviced communities.
We work with communities, building their capacity to promote healthy lifestyle choices which reduce the risk of lifestyle related disease, build social cohesion and improve mental well-being.
How We Do It
Inspiration
Education
Recycling
Partnerships
Where We Do It
We serve remote and under-serviced communities around Australia including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and CALD communities.
Why We Do It
- Physical inactivity is an important modifiable risk factor for several preventable chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, hypertension and diabetes.
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Chronic disease shortens lives – Australians lost 14.5million years due to premature death or living with illness in 2011.
(Australian Burden of Disease Study) - 63% of people living in the lowest socioeconomic areas in Australia are not sufficiently physically active.
- Physical inactivity accounts for 8.2% of the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
- 44% of the coronary heart disease burden and 36% of the diabetes burden are attributable to physical inactivity.
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Physical inactivity is also related to overweight and obesity, another important risk factor for multiple preventable diseases.
(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2017 Report)
Our Objectives
To empower communities to improve the health and wellbeing of all people through meaningful partnerships, consultation and the co-design and delivery of culturally safe programs by:
- Combining physical and health education to improve long term health outcomes and reduce preventable disease
- Enhancing cultural awareness and understanding and fostering relationships between young people from diverse backgrounds
- Reducing waste by extending the life of pre-loved sports equipment
- Collaborating to build sustainable and strategic funding partnerships to ensure programs are accessible and well resourced
Participation in community sports and recreation programs can improve:
- School retention
- Attitudes towards learning
- Social and cognitive skills
- Physical and mental health and well-being
- Increased social inclusion and cohesion
- Increased validation of and connection to culture
- Crime reduction
Ware & Meredith 2013
Our Values
Fit &
Healthy
Inspiration & Education
Teamwork & Leadership
Sustainability & Recycling
Recognition
For Fair Game, its founder and patron – Dr John van Bockxmeer and its volunteers.
2021 Fair Game founder and Patron, Dr John van Bockxmeer, awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to medicine and the community – recognising John’s passionate advocacy to improve equity and health autonomy to remote communities through the founding of Fair Game in 2011, as well as his exceptional performance in providing quality, compassionate advocacy to improve equitable care during his nine years with the WA Country Health Service.
2021 WA Young Volunteer of the Year awarded to Senior Fair Gamer and Fair Game Board Director – Riley Dolman
2019 WA Community Volunteering Organisation of the Year – Presented to a community organisation that provides innovative leadership through good practice in volunteering and brings about positive and enduring change to their community
2018 Commonwealth Points of Light Award given by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of exceptional volunteer work establishing the charity Fair Game
2018 Supporting Volunteers Winner – Sport and Recreation Industry Award.
2017 Overall Winner – Regional Achievement & Community Awards given by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – recognising work tackling health issues in remote Indigenous and refugee communities
2014 West Australian – Young Australian of the Year awarded to Dr John van Bockxmeer
2014 Junior Doctor of the Year awarded by Australian Medical Association to Dr John van Bockxmeer
2014 NAPCAN – Play Your Part Award for work to improve emotional and physical health of children in Regional WA through the Wellness Walkabout yoga program
2013 HESTA Primary Health Care Young Leader Award given to Dr John van Bockxmeer