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RIO TINTO ATHLETICS FOR THE OUTBACK CONTINUES TO SOAR

Published Fri 15 Nov 2024

Imagine a place like Esperance in Western Australia, Mareeba in Queensland, or Katherine in the Northern Territory. Now picture every single person in town lacing up their shoes and diving into the fun of athletics. Picture the buzz, the excitement, the joy as everyone from the youngest to the oldest comes together to run, jump, and throw.

That’s what our Rio Tinto Athletics for the Outback program is all about—but it’s even bigger. Since its relaunch in 2022, the program has inspired more than 15000 kids (about the size of Mareeba’s population) from rural and remote communities across Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory to take part in athletics.

We’re focused on those off-the-grid regions that often miss out on sports opportunities. With Athletics Australia accredited coaches, we bring athletics to life through clinics, come-and-try days, and supporting local clubs to get up and running—quite literally!

Athletics for the Outback also offers training for community leaders and teachers, so they can become accredited coaches and sustain the program long after the initial visits. It isn’t just physical health and social cohesion we’re building, but also avenues for employment, volunteering, and education.  

“Rio Tinto Athletics for the Outback is a remarkable program. It captures the power and universality of athletics in an engaging and fun package that we get to deliver to Indigenous and remote communities across three states. The excitement and opportunities these programs bring to communities and the way they embrace athletics is inspiring”, said Adam Bishop, General Manager of Growth and Development at Athletics Australia. 

From a standing start in 2022 there are now more than 85 days of program delivery per annum and thousands of children engaged. The growth of the program includes:

2022

2023

2024

Athletics for the Outback program relaunched with Rio Tinto’s support as Rio Tinto Athletics for the Outback. 

Rio Tinto Athletics for the Outback expanded – more locations, more frequent visits.

Growth in volume and territories, with increased focus on frequency and legacy initiatives.
  • Dormant prior to 2022, Athletics for the Outback (AFTO)  revived with 13 clinic locations across Western Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory. 
  • Athletics Australia elite athletes and accredited coaches integrated into program delivery.
  • Total 40 days delivered by 11 AFTO coaches.
  • Participation by 20 schools.
  • Total of 1,070 program participants in 2022.
  • Doubled clinic locations (to 26) across Western Australia, Queensland, and Northern Territory.
  • 65 days of program delivery.
  • Total of 4,091 program participants across Western Australia (1,312), Queensland (2,530) and Northern Territory (249).
  • Now reaching 68 communities
  • 85+ days of program delivery for calendar year 2024.
  •  10,500+ participants for all 2024.
  • High frequency program delivery in Weipa co-designed with the Rio Tinto Weipa communities team. 
  • Upcoming major activation with Olympians and Paralympians in Gladstone, connecting Rio Tinto employees with the partnership and the fun of athletics. 

 

In addition to the broad community impact and strong participation rates, through Rio Tinto’s partnership, Athletics Australia has been able to employ a full-time First Nations Program Manager and First Nations Program Coordinators in each of the program states. 

This collaboration between Athletics Australia and Rio Tinto exemplifies the power of partnership in creating inclusive, engaging, and sustainable programs that leave a lasting legacy in some of Australia's most remote communities.

To celebrate this association, Rio Tinto will host the Rio Tinto Athletics Fun Day with Australian Superstars on 30 November 2024 in Gladstone for staff, families, and local community and athletics groups. The day will include meet-and-greets with Paris 2024 Olympians and Paralympians, skills clinics, and a BBQ lunch. Athletes Jessica Hull, Vanessa Low, Matthew Denny, and Brandon Starc will join to lead activities and meet attendees.

By Rio Tinto
Posted 15/11/2024

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