Information

Project interACTIVE

Project interACTIVE focuses on a whole-of-community approach to engaging young people in sport and physical activity. Research shows that many children are active at school, but inactive at home and in the weekends. Parents, family and whanau are vital in ensuring children are active before and after school, and during the weekends. Ensuring young people receive the same messages about sport and physical activity regardless of whether they are at school or home is an important focus of the Project.

Parents are encouraged to turn off the TV, computer and playstation and get their children outside to play. Being physically active doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, or even involve a big outing. It can simply mean playing some backyard games with your children, or walking to the local park to kick a ball.

Each family in the Birkdale/Beachhaven community has received a Project interACTIVE brochure entitled “A Parents Guide-Getting Active in Your Community”. The brochure provides an overview of Project interACTIVE; a map of the community with key parks, reserves and beaches identified; and some ideas for back yard games to play with your children. For more detailed information on the parks, beaches and reserves, and for information about local sports clubs in the community please click here.

A Give-it-A-Go Day community event will be held on March 7th, 2009 to provide children with the opportunity to try some new physical activities and sports, and to encourage families to be active together. Families will also be encouraged to explore their local community during the Christmas school holidays. A family challenge will be launched through schools prior to the end of the year to promote the use of “A Parents Guide-Getting Active in Your Community” over summer.