ASHE History

In 2004 the Rumbalara Football Netball Club (RFNC) in partnership with the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences established The Academy of Sport Health and Education (ASHE). The creation and support of ASHE is part of Rumbalara's commitment to improvements in the physical and emotional health, education and employment of young people and families.

<Staff outside RNFC

Staff outside Rumbalara Football and Netball Club.

Rumbalara Football and Netball Club

Rumbalara Football and Netball Club is more than just a sporting club.  Rumbalara which means ‘end of the rainbow’ is the spiritual and cultural home of Goulburn Valley’s Aboriginal community - the people of the Yorta Yorta. An active facilitator of reconciliation and a leader in community wellbeing of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, Rumbalara seeks to enrich the Aboriginal and Greater Shepparton community as a whole.

http://www.rfnc.com.au/

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 culturallyfriendly and flexible programs, forms the foundation of ASHE.

Background to ASHE:

  • ASHE began with an enrolment of 12 in 2004. By 2007 68 and 2017 the enrolment peaked at 80. ASHE yields approximately 35 graduates across range of training and educational program annually.
  • The goal was to develop a culturally integrated program to improve the life expectancy and quality of life of Indigenous young people through education and cultural affirmation. Since 2011, Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development has managed ASHE.
  • The learning model that has been evolving over the past twelve years it is a balance of best practice teaching with the accelerated attainment of foundational competencies in literacy and numeracy. The education program is integrated with the depth and wisdom of Indigenous Australian cultural knowledge and teaching and learning practice. This model provides young people with the capacity to explore and understand their connection to their traditional Indigenous culture.
  • The learning model is underpinned by personalised case management, it assesses the student’s barriers to success, sets an agreed plan and works with the young person to mobilise their self-drive and access internal and external resources. 
  • In the early years the focus was on certificate courses in sport, health and recreation, though the range of these has broadened.  In 2012, ASHE further extended the range of educational options by delivering a VCAL program. ASHE also offers pre-employment training and work experience opportunities for students.
  • In 2017, ASHE is providing 83 students education offerings that extended to Foundation, Intermediate Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, Certificate IV Community Services and Diploma of Nursing. ASHE also offers Indigenous curriculum developed that includes workbooks, on country learning and guest speakers, artwork and group activities.  ASHE also provides a homework centre for primary and secondary schools students, men’s business well-being group, and various sporting program. The Dream, Learn, Achieve Secondary School program that encourages Indigenous youth to learn and practice culture at ASHE.
  • ASHE has received funding from a range of sources with the major funding provided by DEECD and Skills Victoria, the University of Melbourne and the Commonwealth Government through IYMP (Indigenous Youth Mobility program) and the Indigenous Advancement Strategy and also GOTAFE through activity generated income.