Zander Bodaghi appointed as the new community sports officer in Wadeye

A Territorian has been named as the new community sports officer in Wadeye to tackle sports participation in the remote region.

Zander Bodaghi has been named the new Wadeye Community Sport Officer.

A Territorian will take on the community sports officer role in Wadeye to boost community participation in local sport and drive healthy activities.

Zander Bodaghi will make organised sport available to locals all year round in the West Daly community.

The Darwin-bred man previously worked in the small Kimberly community of Balgo, where he saw the impact and opportunity sports can bring to remote communities.

He sees sport as a powerful agent for positive community and social outcomes.

Zander Bodaghi has been named the new community sport officer for Wadeye.

“Sport provides such a good base for so many positive things in life; from engaging in school to living a healthy lifestyle, to simply being so exhausted you get a good night’s sleep,” Bodaghi said.

“You can see the kids’ faces just light up as soon as they see a footy or a basketball.

“When I was a kid growing up in Darwin any opportunity there was to chase a ball around was something I looked forward too, that feeling is amplified in these small remote communities.”

Bodaghi is one of 10 community sports officers in the Northern Territory, with others being recruited for Alice Springs, Hermannsburg, Katherine, Borroloola, Tiwi Islands and Nhulunbuy.

“There is so much talent and enthusiasm for sport in remote communities and I’m really privileged that I get the opportunity to harness that in Wadeye,” he said.

“My goal is to work with the community and service providers to make sure that there is always some form of sport the community can engage in throughout the year.”

Sport Minister Kate Worden said inserting people into these positions in remote communities would improve participation opportunities.

“The Northern Territory has such a proud and rich sporting tradition, and so much of it comes from the remarkable athletes we have in our remotest communities,” Ms Worden said.

“These positions will ensure remote and regional Territorians have participation opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing, and support them to be active in their community.”