Overview

The Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE) uses participation in sport to undertake education and training within a trusted, culturally appropriate environment, particularly for indigenous students.

ASHE is located 180kms north of Melbourne in a city called Shepparton in Victoria, Australia. Victoria Map showing Shepparton and Melbourne

The ASHE programs focus on individuals and their personal needs by providing individualised education and career planning. Major courses offered by the academy include the Certificates II and III in Sport and Certificate IV in Community Recreation which are conducted with the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE. These are modular and connected, providing opportunities and incentives for individuals to build credits towards certification at higher levels with flexibility of entry and exit points. Community-based short courses in areas of community development and leadership are also provided at ASHE. All programs are developed on a needs-based rather than age-based.

Three factors central to the academy:

  1. ASHE serves the needs of all people in the community, not only those with talent in sport.
  2. The curriculum is cross-sectoral, focusing on individual needs, the identification of personal goals and direct links to employment and other education opportunities.
  3. The partnership between RFNC and the University of Melbourne is a robust and powerful one. RFNC is at the hub of community leadership, with a proven record of delivering community programs. The University of Melbourne brings its academic expertise, organisational capacity and long-term commitment to engagement with the region through its Goulburn Valley Initiative. This partnership, in collaboration with Goulburn Oven's TAFE and its culturally-friendly and flexible programs, forms the foundation of ASHE.

An Inclusive Focus:

While the main impetus for ASHE is the participation and integration of indigenous people, ASHE is not exclusively for indigenous people. ASHE is inclusive.

A Regional Focus:

ASHE development occurs at a critical time for community integration in the Goulburn Valley. It is believed that ASHE, as a means of expressing Indigenous leadership, has significant symbolic and practical influence in the region and the wider community.

ASHE is challenging assumptions and building new community attitudes. The academy makes a broad contribution to community needs by assisting the social, cultural, economic and infrastructure development of the city of Greater Shepparton and the region.