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22 March 2005 Kids on the move around AustraliaPrimary school children will be encouraged to become more physically active as part of the Australian Government’s new Active After-school Communities Program (AASC), launched in a national pilot scheme in Hobart at St Therese’s Primary School today. Representing the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, Senator Eric Abetz said the new program is the major component of the Australian Government’s Building a Healthy Active Australia package aimed at addressing the growing crisis in childhood obesity and inactivity. Run by the Australian Sports Commission, the exciting new program is now being tested in 22 schools around Australia, before expanding to 1000 schools in term two and then to a total of 3,250 schools by 2007. Senator Eric Abetz said that AASC is a free national program which will be run after school from 3.00 to 5.30 pm. “It engages schools, local community organisations and sporting clubs to bring together children in fun and safe structured physical activities,” Senator Eric Abetz said. The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Commission, Mr Mark Peters said that St Therese’s Primary School was invited to participate in the AASC pilot program because of its passion and commitment to providing more opportunities for children to become physically active. ‘The support of local communities for this initiative is fantastic to see. Community organisations, including sporting clubs, have enthusiastically embraced the concept and are critical to its success,’ Mr Peters said. The AASC program at St Therese’s Primary School will involve up to 50 children in hockey, soccer, football, croquet and multi-sport activities including the Run, Skip & Jump program two afternoons per week. For more information contact Blair Brownless, Active After-school Communities State Coordinator, Australian Sports Commission, 0437 700 304. |
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