Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered

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Australia
Newcastle, NSW
Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered

Empowering girls through sport. Engaging dads as advocates for gender equity. Enhancing the dad-daughter bond & wellbeing. University led research program.

Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered is a multi-award-winning, community-based program, that engages fathers/father figures in positive lifestyle role modelling and effective parenting strategies to improve the physical activity behaviours, physical confidence, sport skills and social-emotional wellbeing of their daughters

During the program, dads spend quality time with their daughters, having fun and working together in practical sessions involving rough and tumble play, sport skills, and health-related fitness games. Both fathers and daughters gain the knowledge and skills necessary to promote lifelong physical activity. Dads also learn evidence-based parenting strategies to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of their daughters. Daughters are given opportunities to practise key social-emotional skills including self-control, persistence, critical thinking, resilience and self-reliance and spend quality time with their dads working together in fun practical sessions involving sport skills (eg kicking, catching, throwing), rough and tumble play and health-related fitness games. Formerly known as DADEE (Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered), the program name was changed to Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered in mid-2019. In addition to our Daughters & Dads Active and Empowered 'Classic' program, a four-year partnership with the NSW Office of Sport will see the University of Newcastle team work with a number of state sporting bodies to develop sport specific variants of the Daughters & Dads program (2019-2023). Daughters & Dads Cricket was piloted in early 2020 in consultation with Cricket-NSW and Cricket Australia and continues to roll out in 2021-2023. Daughters & Dads Basketball is planned for delivery in 2022 in consultation with Basketball NSW, to co-ordinate with the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney, NSW. Daughters & Dads Football is planned for delivery in 2022-2023 in consultation with Football NSW and NNSW Football, to c-ordinate with the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

13/11/2025

The Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered team scored big at last night's Engagement Australia Excellence Awards! 🏆

Led by Professor Philip Morgan, this program is all about helping fathers and father-figures strengthen their bond with their daughters through sport and exercise.

A huge congratulations to the team for being named a winner in the Outstanding Engagement for Research Impact category! 👏

13/11/2025

Phil explained how this was a highlight of his career, doing something meaningful for the community.

It all started with a simple question: "What if we brought father figures into their daughters' lives using sport & physical activity as the engagement mechanism, where physical activity was the primary outcome?" It has grown into something much bigger - delivering holistic benefits for families and communities, advancing gender equity, improving mental health, and strengthening family connections. It has been a fascinating journey, and the overwhelming response from interested partners continues to amaze us.

Phil and the team have created a lasting legacy with the Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered program, but we know there is still so much work to do. We look forward to continuing to make an impact. 💪

The University of Newcastle, Australia Engagement Australia Office of Sport

12/11/2025

Still pinching ourselves after last night! 🏆
The Daughters & Dads team is incredibly proud to have won the Outstanding Engagement for Research Impact award across Australian and New Zealand universities at the Engagement Australia Excellence Awards.

While it’s never about the awards, this recognition is so meaningful as we continue our mission to advance gender equity, empower girls, and improve family wellbeing through physical activity and sport.

A huge thank you to everyone for the ongoing support - it was truly a fantastic night. 🩵🩷

The University of Newcastle, Australia Engagement Australia Office of Sport

11/11/2025

We’re buzzing with excitement for the Engagement Australia Excellence Awards tomorrow night! The Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered program is a proud finalist in the category of 'Outstanding Engagement for Research Impact' 💥

These awards identify and celebrate the most exciting and impactful engagement activities undertaken by Australian and New Zealand Universities.

Stay tuned on our socials tomorrow night - we’re hoping to share some exciting news! 🤞

The University of Newcastle, Australia Engagement Australia

07/11/2025

Did someone say podcast?! 🎧

For dads commencing Daughters & Dads programs in 2026, we have something exciting for you. You’ll be able to listen to a specially designed podcast before starting the program with your daughters. We’re loving the experience so far - more to come soon! 🤭

21/10/2025

Fantastic to see Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered - Port Stephens Term 4 program kicking off! 😄

Week One of our Term 4 program off to a fantastic start!

This week was all about staying calm and showing self control 🩷💙

17/10/2025

Can you cycle together as a family this weekend? 🚴‍♀️
Pick a local trail, park or cruise around your neighbourhood to enjoy being active in nature together! ☀️🌳

WestCycle

08/10/2025

EXCITING NEWS! 📢 Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered has been named a FINALIST in the ‘Engagement Australia 2025 Excellence Awards’ in the category for ‘Outstanding Engagement for Research Impact’ 👏

These awards identify and celebrate the most exciting and impactful engagement activities undertaken by Australian and New Zealand Universities.

Developed at the The University of Newcastle, Australia, the program is proudly driven by innovative, collaborative partnerships across the sporting, government, community, and education sectors. Over 6,800 participants have experienced the program’s propound multifaceted benefits. 5 sport-specific variations have been developed in partnership with peak sporting bodies with the program receiving global recognition and accolades for research excellence and benefitting society, including commendation by the World Health Organization (WHO).

We are incredibly proud of the impact Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered program has had on families, and of the recognition it has received from Engagement Australia! 🥳

08/10/2025

Is your daughter interested in playing cricket this season? Make sure to reach out to Newcastle City Cricket Club 🏏

🏏⚔️ JUNIOR CRICKET - PLAYERS NEEDED ⚔️🏏🧑‍🤝‍🧑👭

*Edit - we are also looking for a couple of U10 players to fill out our mixed teams - please share*

We are still after a couple more players for our Stage 1 (U11 and younger) girls cricket team.

Stage 1 cricket is a super fun introduction to cricket - everyone gets a go and it is a quick format (over before lunch) and we have some great, supportive coaches.

If you are keen to get involved or know anyone who might be - please get in touch (newcastlesabrescricket@gmail.com) or register ⬇️
https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/org/newcastle-city-and-eastern-districts-cricket-club/2a11b05e/register

01/10/2025

Do you coach teenage girls in sport and want to make a lasting impact on their experience? Share your invaluable insights through our survey to help keep girls active, confident, and involved in sport. 🏃‍♀️⚽

👉

26/09/2025

Let's gamify the school holidays with Bingo! 🎉 Print or create your own bingo card and see if you can get 3 in a row or somehow manage to tick off all 9?! This is a fun way to bond and be active with your families. 🏃‍♀️Share your favourite activity with us! 🩵

16/09/2025

On showcase at the The University of Newcastle, Australia Industry Open Day! 👏

The Daughters & Dads programs have partnered with a range of sectors including:
🏛 Government & Public Sector
⚽State & National Sport Bodies (including overseas!)🏏
🏥 Health & Research Foundations
🎓 Universities
👨‍👧 Family & Community Organisations

These partnerships have had a profound impact on the success of the Daughters & Dads programs and our capability to reach as many families as we can.

Please look out for our stall if you are attending!

Address

Centre For Active Living And Learning
Newcastle, NSW
2308

Website

https://www.daughtersanddads.com.au/, http://linktr.ee/daughtersanddadsau

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