UWA student Simon Hayward has gone “above and beyond” to support a unique health program that gives back to under-serviced communities through a recent McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship at Fair Game.
Completing the internship during the final semester of his Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Health, Simon was tasked with supporting Fair Game’s Recycle and Donate program, which aims to drive positive social change by providing health programs and recycled sports equipment to communities in need.
“Completing my internship with Fair Game, I have learnt that sporting equipment can honestly change someone’s life,” said Simon. “Too many children are missing out on sport due to the fact that they can’t afford sporting equipment.”
The project saw Simon undertake a wide range of tasks, including training new volunteers, developing social media content and growing connections with more organisations across WA.
“My main objective coming into this internship was to improve people’s lives through sporting equipment, to allow for more disadvantaged kids to have a better and more equal shot in life,” said Simon.
“I think I achieved this goal as I engaged with many communities, packed orders every day and sent much-needed sport equipment to families and communities. I gave this internship a lot and I tried my absolute best to complete every task to a very high standard,” he said.
“Additionally, as the majority of Fair Game’s interaction is with the Indigenous population, I believe I am closing the gap just a little bit,” said Simon.
Fair Game General Manager, Sarah Hull, said Simon “far exceeded expectations”.
“Simon has become part of the team and has taken to heart our mission delivery through his day-to-day work in the Recycle and Donate Program. His positive impact on our organisation will long surpass his time with Fair Game,” said Sarah.
‘We have been so happy with Simon that we have asked him to join us as a paid intern over the summer holidays to help us develop our First Nation’s internship program,” she said.
In addition to the internship, Simon also gives back to the community through volunteering with Indigenous mentoring programs and cultural workshops, and he will be commencing postgraduate teaching studies in 2023.
“I believe that my purpose in life is to help people and change lives for the better. I want to work extremely hard to contribute to communities, and I want to help the next generation set themselves up for a happy and successful life,” said Simon.
Simon hopes he can influence more people to get involved with supporting their local communities.
“Fair Game is always looking for volunteers to join the program to go out to communities and deliver sporting equipment, run workshops, run activities and engage with their members. I know a lot of good people who would be willing to put their hands up, and I encourage them to give it a go,” said Simon.