Not-for-proft Creating Chances is using sport in schools as a way to empower young people

Not-for-profit Creating Chances is using sport in schools as a way to empower young people, giving Illawarra kids the opportunity to learn life skills, and then take on the role of teachers themselves.

One of its key 'pathway' programs gives local high school students the chance to become sporting coaches, designing and delivering activities for primary school kids.

Illawarra program leader Paul Saulog has been leading Creating Chances workshops in the region for six years.

He says the program helps young people develop the soft skills they need to thrive.

"The best thing is seeing the kids grow," Saulog said.

For the younger students, the program focuses on learning basic cooperation, resilience and empathy skills through sport.

''While the sports element gets kids active, it's the debrief afterwards that's most important," he said.

"If we were working on resilience, we would play games that foster resilience and then question how they applied those skills in the game."

"When the game doesn't go your way, how did you react and how should react in the future?" Saulog asks.

For students in Years Eight to Ten, the program focuses on leadership, with the high school students acting as coaches for primary school kids.

An annual gala day brings together 150 primary school students from around the Illawarra with 25 student coaches.

"It's completely run by the student coaches themselves," Saulog said.

"The kids learn from each other, build their relationships and build their community."

Illawarra Sports High School took on the ten-week Coaches program, pairing their student 'coaches' with students from Elouera, the school's Autism support unit.

Illawarra Sports High School student Ataya was one of the coaches, designing activities for Elouera students

"I loved how they smiled, and it would give you the best feeling on the inside when you see them having fun," Ataya said.

"I used to want to work with people with disabilities, then I changed my mind, but because of this program, and after working with the Elouera unit and getting this experience with them, I'd love to work with people who have special needs in the future," she said.

Twelve schools around the Illawarra have already taken on the Creating Chances program.

Paul Saulog hopes to expand the program for kids all around the Illawarra.

"We want these programs to be in every school in the Illawarra. Why not, every school in the world!" he said.