Term 2 2009 - Sport Southland

While there is no golden rule to get young people active on a regular basis, there are many contributing factors within a
community, school or a family that can help. One such element is the use of successful role models for young people.
Recently, Active Schools have arranged local sporting athletes to visit classrooms throughout Southland to share the
message about the benefits of being active, the importance of goal setting and enjoying the outdoors.
Local athletes have included Sid Cumming, NZ Age Group Champion Triathlete; Jessica Hamill, NZ Paralympian; and
Hayden Strong, 800m and Cross Country winner at Southland Primary School Champs. It should also be noted that one
Active School, Invercargill Middle School, used the most meaningful role models young people could have at a recent ‘Have
a Go’ evening – their own family and friends. It was a treat to see families together, active, happy and helping each other.
Well done Middle School.
Another element that promotes regular physical activity is what could be loosely termed opportunity. Young people in
schools need to have equity in accessing recreation and sporting equipment. This equipment needs to be suitable to the
needs and interests of kids. For example younger children and those with lesser locomotor abilities need larger, softer
‘pimply’ balls to play with.
As a facilitator, I have been working alongside our Active Schools to assess schools sporting equipment, opportunities to use
that equipment and also development of skills in the playground so that young people can learn games, activities and playing
etiquette. We have been looking at aspects such as upskilling children to take leadership roles through Physical Activity
Leader workshops. We have been looking at the halls, walls and ‘hard’ play areas of the school, are they bright and
attractive? And of course adventure playgrounds, monkey bars, swings and slides although expensive still remain as
resources of higher use in any school playground.
Active Schools
Jim Watson | Active Schools Facilitator | jim.watson@sportsouthland.co.nz
Developing Fundamental Movement Skills
Workshop
Thursday 21 May - 1pm - 3.30pm, Stadium Southland
(Register by Monday 18 May)
Cost:
$10 per person (to attend workshop)
$35 per person (to attend workshop and purchase DFMS resource)
If you want to review or enhance your knowledge and teaching of the fundamental basic movement skills
then this workshop is for you! This workshop is open to all teachers, coaches and parents. Attendees will
be:
• shown how to identify children’s abilities & their needs
• shown what to teach and how to teach using appropriate teaching questions, games & activities
• given information on the basic movement principles
This workshop will unfold the Developing Fundamental Movement Skill manual as produced by SPARC
Growing Leaders Workshop
Thursday 25 June @ 9am - 3.30pm, Stadium Southland
(Register by Monday 22 June)
Cost:
$10 per person (to attend workshop)
$60 per person (to attend workshop and purchase DFMS resource)
Growing Leaders is a powerful resource that develops leader learning and leadership experiences for
young people aged 9-18 years. It focuses on exploring, discovering and navigating leadership. The
Growing Leaders resource can be used in a huge range of settings – everything from physical
education classes, school sport programmes, outdoor education trips, lunchtime and after school
recreation activities, sport and recreation clubs to youth groups. This one day workshop is designed
for people who would like to facilitate Growing Leaders to young people.
If numbers allow, we will also look at running workshops in Gore, Winton, Lumsden and Otautau. Please contact
Sport Southland reception on 03 211 2150
Promoting Active Healthy Lifestyles 3
Active Youth Newsletter, Term 2 2009