FAQs

How do I sign up?

Click on the REGISTER NOW button at the top of the website.

Can my organisation deliver the program?

Click here to register your interest in partnering with us to deliver the program and we will be in touch.

How much does it cost?

The Newcastle-based Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered program is FREE, funded by Port Waratah Coal Services. 

The Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered programs and the Sport-Specific programs delivered through NSW Office of Sport and state sport bodies have a cost involved which covers program resources and facilitators. 

Please see the Office of Sport website or the sport-specific programs below for further detail.

• Daughters and Dads Football program: Football NSW and Northern NSW Football
• Daughters and Dads Basketball program: Basketball NSW
• Daughters and Dads Cricket program: Daughters and Dads Cricket

How long does the program go for?

• Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered programs can be delivered as a 9-week program or as a Weekender program compressed into a two night stay at an Office of Sport, Sport and Recreation Centre. The first session is a 2 hour dads-only information session, followed by 90 minute weekly daughters and dads sessions.
• Daughters and Dads sport-specific programs are all delivered over 9 consecutive weeks, and each session is 90 minutes. 

Can I do the program with multiple daughters?

We suggest dads attend with just the one daughter at a time. The program is designed for 1-on-1 interaction between dads and daughters to ensure they get the most benefit out of the program. This allows the duo to effectively engage in the education and practical activities that have been timed and tested for 1:1.

We have a few options to accommodate multiple daughters:

• Option 1: Dad could participate in more than one session during the term, having a different daughter attend with him each night. 
• Option 2: Another father figure (e.g. Grandfather/Uncle) could participate with one of the daughters in the same session as Dad and the other daughter.
• Option 3: The program will run again in the future so you could decide to attend with one daughter initially and then sign up the following year with the other daughter. 

How old does my daughter need to be to participate? 

Your daughter must be attending primary school between kindergarten - Year 6 to participate. (The minimum age for Daughters and Dads Cricket is 6.)

Can my family come along to the sessions?

The program has been designed for only the dad and registered daughter to attend. However all family members are encouraged to join in the home program.

Can I still do the program if I don’t participate in regular physical activity?

Absolutely, the program caters for all fitness levels and abilities. We would love to have you involved.

Can I do the program more than once?

Yes, there is no limit to how many programs you attend, however preference will be given to new families. 

Do I need to attend all sessions?

Each session covers a different topic.  To maximise the positive impact of the program we recommend attendance to all sessions.  

What if it's raining on the day of my session?

We always have a wet weather option at the program location to ensure we can complete the session in a safe environment. 

Why dads?

Fathers have an important influence on children’s health and wellbeing, however, they are significantly underrepresented in health promotion programs targeting parents. A recent review of all parenting programs delivered internationally showed that only 6% of participants were fathers.

The Daughters and Dads program is the first program to ever target the Daughter and Dad dyad while there have been numerous mother/daughter programs.  Research shows that children independently and uniquely benefit from positive male involvement but that daughters often miss out.

CLICK HERE for more info.

Can my daughter still participate if she doesn't have a Dad in her life or available?

Absolutely, we welcome her attendance with a significant male role model or father-figure . This might be a step-father, grandfather, uncle, older brother or trusted family friend.

The program is designed to educate and motivate male role models as agents of change in girls' lives, boosting physical activity levels, sport skills and social-emotional wellbeing. Unfortunately, daughters cannot attend the program with their mothers as targeting fathers is the unique benefit of this program.

What about mothers?

Parent-child programs have predominantly targeted and engaged mothers. When programs are open to both parents, very few dads sign up. Our Daughters and Dads programs are designed to solely engage fathers/ father-figures.

Mums/partners are encouraged to engage with the program home tasks, have discussions with their partner and daughter and are welcome to complete home activities with any of their other children.

Do you have any other programs for younger children?

Yes, Healthy Youngsters, Healthy Dads engages fathers and their pre-school-aged children to improve family physical activity and nutrition.  Please see the HYHD website for details on registration.