Some of the main changes for the Knockout Health Challenge 2023 are:

1. Program funds for teams have increased. There is no prize money this year, however this means we can give teams more money to run activities or initiatives. The funds have increased to $5,000 per team.


2. Registering and applying is easier. Team Managers will apply for their team on the Knockout Health Challenge website. This year, we won't be collecting team members’ information, for example weight. Because we want to understand what results matter to the community.

This year we will be running yarning circles to find out what you would like to see improved about the challenge.

We also want to know what health benefits are important to you. This is so we can create culturally safe and reliable ways to measure the progress of your team members.

The challenge will stay a community-led and owned program. This year, each team has the flexibility to run activities or initiatives that meet their communities' healthy living needs, rather than focusing on weight loss.
For example:

• weekly boot-camp style workouts
• walking groups
• group cooking classes
• nutrition or physical activity education sessions

People of all ages can participate. This year, the whole family can join.

• Children under 18 years of age will need their parent / carer to provide consent
• Team Managers and Support Teams will need to have current Working with Children checks

Teams involved in the Knockout Health Challenge 2023 may be contacted to take part in a yarning circle. We are running yarning circles to hear your ideas for the future of the program. Joining the yarning circles is voluntary.

A Team Manager can apply for a team (group of participants) with the support of a host organisation. Host organisations can be your local Aboriginal Medical Service, Community Controlled Health Service, Land Council, Local Health District, or local business with an ABN. If approved, your host organisation receives the funds for your team to run your planned activities or initiatives in the challenge.

Applications are due by 11:59pm on 30 June 2023.

There will be an online group drop-in session on Tuesday, 13 June 2023 for Team Managers to ask questions. It is recommended that all Team Managers who are applying attend the session. For more advice and information about how to join the drop-in session contact [email protected].

Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 14 July. All applicants will be contacted via email.

Initiatives run over ten weeks, beginning 7 August 2023 to 13 October 2023. The first payment will be transferred to the Host Organisation once the contract is signed (due in the middle of July).

While there are no restrictions on team sizes, teams that can reach and impact the broader community (i.e., larger teams) are preferred.

The Team Managers are:

• responsible for planning and running the activities or initiatives, in collaboration with their team
• required to submit the application form (including budget proposal) and all required documents before applications close (Friday 30 June 2023)
• required to submit a progress report at week five of the challenge and a final report at the end of week 10
• agree to providing their contact details to an Aboriginal research agency and are encouraged to attend a yarning circle, if selected, and encourage participants to attend as well
• encouraged to attend network meetings led by NSW Health
• required to have a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) if their team has people under 18 years old.

The Support Team includes the Team Manager and other people who will motivate, educate, and support team members throughout the initiative. These may include Aboriginal health workers, dietitians, personal trainers, representatives from a local Aboriginal medical service, or representatives from your local health district.

The host organisation must have an ABN and sign a contract to receive the funds. Host organisations should support Team Managers to use the funds as agreed in the budget proposal, and within the specified timeframes. The host organisation must submit invoices to receive the funding.

Applications will be assessed based on how the activities or initiatives will support healthy eating and active living behaviours. The application assessment team will prefer plans that can reach and improve the health of your broader community.

Applications should show detail on your planned activities or initiatives and clear information on how your team will spend the funds.

No, there is no merchandise for the Knockout Health Challenge 2023. The yarning circles and feedback provided will help determine a future program name and delivery model. New resources and materials, including t-shirts, will be developed to align with the new program.

Knockout Health Challenge 2023 is now open to people of all ages! For teams that have people under the age of 18, the Team Manager and Support Team must all hold valid Working with Children Checks.

If you are not successful, we hope that you can still be involved in the feedback opportunities held this year. This will help us to continue building the Knockout Health Challenge that communities want for 2024 and beyond.

You may contact the Knockout Health Challenge team if you would like feedback on your application.

Email us here:
[email protected].
Please allow 48 hours for a response.