Sport programs build belonging

Kick’N’Mix senior sessions run Thursdays 3:30–5:30pm at 71–81 Pearcedale Parade, Broadmeadows and are open to participants aged 15–25. (banksiagardens.org.au/sports) (banksiagardens.org.au) Kick’N’Mix is delivered through Banksia Gardens Community Services’ Social Cohesion Through Education (SCTE) program, which partners directly with local schools to design and deliver sport, cultural and creative activities. (banksiagardens.org.au/social-cohesion-through-education) (banksiagardens.org.au) The SCTE project secured $350,000 in funding over four years from the Victorian Department of Education and Training, while Banksia Gardens also coordinates the $1.4 million Broadmeadows Community Youth Justice Alliance over four years. (welcomingcities.org.au/network/banksia-gardens-community-services) (welcomingcities.org.au) SCTE’s “Human After All” strand records community‑ambassador films and uses teaching artists to guide students through drama, painting, collage, dance and video projects tailored for grades 5–6 and 7–8. (banksiagardens.org.au/social-cohesion-through-education) (banksiagardens.org.au) Major Victorian coverage singled out Kick’N’Mix as one of six community programs linked to statewide efforts to address youth violence through cultural and sporting engagement. (theage.com.au) Since 2019 the SCTE partnership (delivered in part by The Huddle with DET funding) has worked with more than 30 schools and co‑designed school-ready programs including True North and Voice Your Voice with teachers and students. (thehuddle.org.au/latest-stories/social-cohesion-through-education) (thehuddle.org.au) Banksia Gardens reports supporting more than 80,000 people annually, a delivery footprint cited by local partners and funders when allocating multi‑year grants for community‑led school engagement. (communityfoundation.org.au/organisation/banksia-gardens-community-services) (communityfoundation.org.au)