Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered
An award-winning, evidence-based program proven to enhance the physical and emotional wellbeing of girls.
The Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered (DADAE) program is a unique program for fathers or father figures (step-fathers, grand-fathers, uncles, older brothers or trusted family friend) and their primary school-aged daughters.
Developed by the University of Newcastle, the program educates and empowers girls alongside their fathers to improve physical activity, sport skill proficiency and social and emotional wellbeing.
If you are a dad who wants to spend quality time with your daughter, do fun physical activities, and learn how to improve her sport skills, confidence, self-esteem and resilience, then book into a program.
There are a number of ways to be involved Daughters and Dads programs. Find out more below.
Weekender Program
The Weekender program format offers daughters and dads the chance to have some quality bonding time at a Sport and Recreation Centre during a weekend residential stay. The weekend is all about encouraging girls to develop a life-long love of sport, cheered on from the sidelines by her dad or key father-figure.
The program activities include rough and tumble play, practicing fundamental sport skills together and improving fitness, along with the usual Sport and Recreation camp activities such as archery and camp challenges.
Among all the fun, we also provide information on how to build confidence, self-esteem and resilience in girls. The emphasis is on fun and the program caters for all physical activity and skill levels.
The Office of Sport Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered Weekender program is for fathers and their primary school-aged daughter (5-12 years). The program costs $208 for dads and $153 for daughters.
Inclusions:
- A two-night weekend stay at a Sport and Recreation Centre.
- Each dad and their daughter will have their own room at one of our scenic centres. Your stay also includes all outdoor recreation activities and meals.
- Daughters and Dads both receive a program t-shirt and drink bottle.
2023 Calendar
Click the Weekender Program location below to book.
Register your interest
Don’t see a program in your location or can’t make the date, register your interest for other upcoming programs here.
External Programs
In addition to our Weekender Program, a number of our Daughters and Dads program partners run their own sport-specific programs. See below for more information.
Daughters and Dads Football program
To find out more or register visit:
Daughters and Dads Basketball program
To find out more or register, visit :
Daughters and Dads Cricket program
To find out more or register, visit:
"The Daughters and Dads weekend I went on was in a beautiful place called Milson Island and was great opportunity for my daughter and I to spend quality time together with other fathers and daughters.
It’s a fantastic initiative from the Office of Sport and the NSW Government and I encourage Daughters and Dads to sign up and get involved"
Nick Hockley, CEO, Cricket Australia, Daughters and Dads Alumni