The younger kids look up to older drivers who are modelling and encouraging healthier behaviours, like choosing not to smoke or vape – this positive influence is working.
When you’re driving a race car, rounding corners at 120 km/hour on a clay‑gravel track, strapped down and under pressure from G-forces over 40 to 50 minutes, being mentally and physically healthy is critical. No one knows this better than Collie Speedway champion Nuno Mendes who has been racing for 28 years and is number four in the Production Sedan division.
Like many fellow members, Nuno and Cloee, his team manager and wife, met at Collie Speedway and now spend most of their free time there, either competing or volunteering. Both are equally passionate about the sport and organisation, which they say serves as a strong community hub while actively supporting healthier lifestyles and positive wellbeing, with the long‑term support of Healthway.
Approaching its 56th anniversary, Make Smoking History Collie Speedway is the longest-running night speedway venue in the state, attracting competitors from across WA.
Healthway has played a key role in using Collie Speedway as a setting to strengthen health and wellbeing outcomes.
Starting with the Quit campaign and continuing through Make Smoking History, Nuno and Cloee have seen a significant reduction in smoking and, more recently, vaping. Nuno said younger members not only see and hear the consistent health messaging but remain strongly focused on the sport.
Another important change made possible through Healthway has been improvements to the canteen. Traditional speedway food is often low in nutrients and high in kilojoules, saturated fat, added sugar and added salt. However, Collie Speedway has shifted to food that better supports performance, recovery and hydration. Led by a chef‑trained manager, healthy specials are prepared on race day, offering a mix of lighter options and more substantial meals. Judging by the flood of positive feedback and ever‑lengthening canteen queues, the healthier options are eagerly awaited and devoured.
Cloee and Nuno are adamant that this is the right way to tackle embedding lifelong healthy habits.
“The next generation, those aged 10 to 17, is the audience you need to be targeting,” Nuno said.
Collie Speedway prides itself on being a grassroots local speedway, like football and cricket in regional areas, a place where anyone can have a go. With families spanning three generations – from babies in prams wearing earmuffs to seasoned competitors – Healthway’s partnership with Collie Speedway is shaping healthier behaviours, reinforcing positive role modelling and supporting healthy habits in its community and emerging competitors.