A reflection on the impact of consistency and continuity in building impactful relationships with communities.

Through my ongoing involvement with Fair Game, first as a volunteer starting in 2014 and since 2024 as a Recreation Coordinator, one of my greatest pleasures has been watching the kids grow up over repeated visits to a community, growing in confidence and finding their way as young adults.  To be a small part of that is a real privilege and it is possible because of Fair Game’s consistent presence in communities over the last 15 years.  This has built trust and created strong long-term relationships across generations.

One person who truly reflects this impact is Tristan, a young adult around 24 years old living in Fitzroy Crossing. Fair Game have been running school holiday programs in Fitzroy Crossing for many years and Tristan has been attending the sessions since the very first trip I was part of as a volunteer back in 2014.  He has continued to show up at almost every session since. I feel like we have both grown up together alongside the program.

As he grew older, Tristan has naturally stepped into a leadership role during Fair Game sessions. He regularly helps run games, supports younger kids to stay engaged, and sets a positive example through his involvement. The younger children respond incredibly well to him, often following his lead and feeling more confident to participate when he is involved.  

Tristan is a familiar face around town taking great pride in running his own gardening business which now employs other young people.  In fact, he is a bit of a local celebrity.  When we caught up with him in Fitzroy Crossing during the January holidays he came along and helped at the sessions as always, but then was very eager to show us a new public artwork featuring his portrait.

Tristan’s ongoing involvement in our program highlights the importance of Fair Game’s long term, commitment to communities. By returning year after year, Fair Game is not only engaging children in the moment, but also supporting young people to develop leadership skills and grow into confident role models within their own community. This continuity strengthens trust, builds leadership, and reinforces the lasting impact of sport as a tool for connection, belonging, and positive change.

Is the death of long term volunteering real?

by Nicki Bardwell, CEO, Fair Game Australia

We recently wrapped up another intensive training weekend with our latest cohort of volunteer Fair Gamers, who are now ready to hit the regions for their weeklong trips!

In a world of "micro-volunteering" and competing priorities, asking someone for a full weekend of training plus a week of regional service feels like a big ask. Some might even call it ‘outdated.’

But here’s why I believe high-investment volunteering is actually the antidote to the current engagement crisis.

The WA Landscape: By the Numbers

The latest State of Volunteering in Western Australia report (2024) gave us a reality check:

·       The Economic Powerhouse: 1.5 million West Aussies contribute a staggering $63.9 billion in value to our state annually.

·       The Trend: There is a clear shift toward "episodic" and micro-roles, with 29.8% of WA -volunteer managers reporting a rise in microvolunteering.

·       The Barrier: It now costs the average WA resident $13.75 per hour to volunteer (up 120% since 2015).

Why We Still Go "All In"

If people are time poor and struggling with cost of living pressures, why do we ask for a whole week in the regions?

Besides it being necessary for our operations, we believe connection is the currency of retention. While micro volunteering is a fantastic entryway into the sector, intensive experiences, like our training camp and regional trips, build something a 30 minute task cannot: social capital by way of future change makers

3 Lessons from our Training Weekend:

1.     Training = Respect: The report shows that 69.7% of WA volunteer managers use training as a key retention tool. When we invest in our volunteers' skills, we tell them their contribution is too important to be left to chance.

2.     Regional WA: Regional WA is the backbone of our state, yet it faces unique isolation challenges. While micro volunteering is a great experience it can’t replicate authentic time spent in the regions. Spending a full week in the field transforms a volunteer's perspective. You don't just see a project; you see the faces, the families, and the future of the towns we serve. That’s an empathy bridge no algorithm can build.

3.     Belonging over "Doing":  The State of Volunteering report tells a surprising story: while 67.8% of us want to "help others," a significant 33.8% are searching for social connection. You don’t get that from a bite -sized volunteering task. True belonging happens in the quiet moments after a long day of service—connecting deeply with the regional community members we’re there to support, and forging lifelong bonds with a team of like-minded volunteers who "just get it."

 The Future is "Both/And"

We shouldn't fight micro volunteering; we should use it as a gateway. But let’s not lose the ‘deep work’ of the volunteering world.

To our latest cohort of Fair Gamers: Thank you for bringing energy and enthusiasm this weekend. Thank you for committing to supporting our work. Thank you for being part of our team. Thank you for leaning into the "big ask." You aren't just giving time; you’re building the social fabric of Western Australia.

Supporting pathways to employment in Kununurra

Collaborating in meaningful partnerships to empower communities, is a core strategic objective of Fair Game, so we’ve been delighted with the successful collaboration our Kununurra Game On! Hub has formed with the Wunan Foundation’s Talent Pool Academy. 

 The Academy works to strengthen youth workforce pathways, preparing young people to transition smoothly into employment in the East Kimberley.  Finding work experience opportunities that develop workplace skills and build confidence is a key element of this, which is where Fair Game’s Kununurra Hub comes in. The Hub’s free weekly Game On! after school program runs inclusive active games, providing a positive diversion in a safe space for vulnerable children while promoting fitness and fostering social inclusion. The sessions are run by young project officers and volunteers, who all participate in the games rather than directing from the sidelines, facilitating mentoring and encouragement.

Starting in Term 3 last year, two or three young people (aged 15-17 years) from the Academy came along to our Hub’s Game On! afterschool program at the PCYC each Monday to assist the team.  The students provided support in many ways, including setting up equipment and packing down after the games. They actively participate in the Game On! activities, encouraging other kids to get involved, as well as helping with running some of the activities. They also sometimes help prepare and cook dinner and clean up after.

Talent Pool Program Manager, Pida Bule-Turner, is enthusiastic about the collaboration - “Fair Game have been a great partner for Wunan.  They are incredibly reliable running their program every Monday of the school-term, so their sessions provide a great opportunity for our young people to gain experience of organising activities and engaging the kids.  We hope to continue this relationship and are encouraging our young people to take up the opportunity to become a Trainee Project Officer for the Fair Game program when they have finished the Academy. We are excited by the potential of this partnership.”

Fair Game Project Officer, Molly, has been very impressed with the Academy students’ contribution, commenting that they bring fantastic positive energy and are always willing to lend a hand, which has been hugely appreciated.

This truly is a win win situation, with Academy students having an opportunity to develop leadership skills and their regular involvement building a strong social sense of belonging.  At the same time, the positive impact of having closely relatable role models demonstrating future pathways to employment, is incredibly valuable for the young children attending the sessions.

We look forward to continuing this collaboration through 2026.

Yarning about healthy habits while colouring in our new Healthy Communities banners

Commonwealth Games Athletes inspire next generation…

“Fair Game listens to community and works in a way that respects culture, family and local decision-making, which means their programs feel safe, welcomed and supported.”

Equip for Sport recognised by Waste Sorted Awards…

“The kids were locked in from the start!”

We love catching up with old friends who have attended our programs over the years. Hear what Stirling has been up to for the last three years…

A big welcome to our new cohort of volunteers. The crew enthusiastically got stuck in to the training session despite the wet weather!

Helping cook the evening meal at Fair Game’s afterschool program in Kununurra has allowed one participant to develop skills and pursue her passion…

Fair Game donated hundreds of cricket bats to the girls taking part in Team Connect’s cricket program - early Christmas presents gifted on their Gala Day at the WACA in December…

Practice makes perfect for aspiring athletes in Donnybrook…

100,000 items of pre-loved sports equipment donated to communities across WA.

Sporting heroes at St Thomas’ primary collect preloved equipment donations.

The power of donating sports equipment is extraordinary…

Successfully engaging children in communities requires building trust. Consistency and reliability are key.

Communities tell us why they love Fair Game visits April 2024.

Paige’s love affair with sports began when she was a kid. For as long as she can remember she has always played some kind of sport and is currently studying Sports Science at UWA.

We have established a new First Nations' Internship program.