GHD to deliver Australian Sports Partnership Program to build healthy, inclusive communities through sport.

Global professional services company, GHD has been selected as the managing contractor to deliver the second phase of the sports for development program, the ‘Australian Sports Partnership Program’ (ASPP).

Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the ASPP will invest AUD24 million over four years from 2018 to 2022 aiming to use sport as a vehicle to enhance both development outcomes, and Australia’s relationship and standing with its Indo-Pacific neighbours.

The ASPP will be delivered through 10 bilateral programs in Asia (India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka) and the Pacific (Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu) in phase one, with the potential for ad hoc sports diplomacy activities in Australia and internationally.

Ben Howard, Program Manager – Australian Sports Partnership Program for GHD said, “Sport is an incredibly engaging and effective approach to development in the Indo-Pacific region, and has been proven to create long term, sustainable, results-driven change in the communities that need it the most. We are thrilled to have been chosen to deliver the ASPP, which will build upon the activities and partnerships we have fostered during  the Pacific Sports Partnership Program (PSP).”

The ASPP will focus on building healthier and more inclusive communities through sports partnerships in 10 countries with four key objectives: health promotion, disability inclusion, gender equality and social cohesion. The activities undertaken by the ASPP will support the delivery of the Australian Sport Diplomacy Strategy 2015-2018.

GHD has been selected because of its global capabilities and experience in delivering successful development programs in the region. GHD’s International Development Assistance team believes strongly in unlocking the potential of Australia’s neighbours through a values-driven, collaborative approach to development that delivers sustainable outcomes.

You can learn more about the ASPP here.