26 August 2004

Manurewa Leisure Centre took the opportunity last week to promote fitness through a mini-Olympics day with the pupils of Wiri Central School.

With the Athens Olympics currently capturing everyone’s imagination it was not difficult to motivate these energetic students who really got into the spirit of the Games, participating with enthusiasm in the many events the staff had organised.

Meari Putairi, Recreation Programmer at the Centre said, “The sports day was aimed to encourage participation in fitness and general activity. With recent publicity surrounding obesity in children we need to find innovative ways to get young people up off the couch and computer and outside or into the gym to get more exercise. “It seemed a good idea to capitalise on the Athens Olympics and hold our own mini Olympics for the pupils from Wiri Central School. This group had plenty of energy to expend throwing themselves into the experience.

“The staff could tell from the children’s comments they were really enjoying themselves and you only had to hear them cheering their team mates on and look at their faces to see their enjoyment. Afterwards the verdict was unanimous, ‘cool, awesome, choice!’

Meari says, “As a staff member of the Manurewa Leisure Centre, one of the city’s seven recreation centres, it is very satisfying to be actively pursuing and supporting the vision of ‘Tomorrow’s Manukau’ in promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to our residents, young and old.”

After this initial success MLC staff intend to held further mini Olympics with Greenmeadows Intermediate and Weymouth Primary.

For further information about the Manurewa Leisure Centre and other facilities around the city see Council website www.manukau.govt.nz

ENDS

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