Tourism, Culture and Recreation
June 16, 2008
Recreation Month Activities Focus on Need to Increase Physical Activity
June is Recreation Month in Newfoundland
and Labrador, and the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism,
Culture and Recreation, says this is an appropriate time to highlight
the need to increase physical activity levels within all segments of the
province�s population.
�Celebrating June as Recreation Month increases awareness around the
benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle and the value that recreation
adds to everyday life,� Minister Jackman said. �Together with our
provincial sport and recreation partners, including Recreation
Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government is working to
increase participation in physical activity throughout the province.�
Minister Jackman noted he attended May 21-22 meetings of
federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for physical
activity, recreation and sport in Victoria, B.C., where the primary
focus was the urgent need to address physical inactivity rates �
especially amongst children and youth.
�It is important to demonstrate to the province�s youth the benefits of
partaking in an active lifestyle,� Minister Jackman said. �Engaging them
now, early in their lives, and helping them establish a routine that
makes physical activity a part of their daily lives, is the key to a
future population that is healthy and strong.�
During the FPT meetings, ministers set Pan-Canadian targets for
increased physical activity among children and youth, noting that
currently about 10 per cent of young people are engaged in 90 minutes of
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a day. By 2010, the goal is to
raise that figure to 12 per cent, and by 2015, to 17 per cent.
Recreation Month activities to date have included a Recreation
Newfoundland and Labrador provincial tour of schools, targeted at
Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, which highlights the importance of
physical activity through a theatrical presentation and activities
designed to engage students.
Wanda Wight, president of Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador, said the
tour was developed because, as within other jurisdictions throughout
Canada, recreation organizations are concerned with the amount of time
research indicates that young people spend in front of television and
computer screens.
�It is important for people of all ages to be physically active, but the
foundation to a healthy lifestyle begins at an early age,� Ms. Wight
said. �The play is entitled How Fun is That?! and is designed to educate
children about the fun that can be had through recreational activities.�
Through its $2.4 million recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy,
Newfoundland and Labrador (2007), the Provincial Government continues to
work with its partners to strengthen programs and services aimed at
creating a healthy, vibrant population.
Last month, the Provincial Government announced the provision of
$100,000 to hire four new full-time, regional-based community recreation
directors, operating through Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador, to
enable the organization to provide more opportunities to increase
physical activity levels in the province.
To find out more about Recreation Month, and how communities can become
involved, visit the June is Recreation Month website at:
www.recreationnl.com/JRM/.
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Photo #1: Sean McKenna, past-president of
Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador (RNL) joins the Honourable Clyde
Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (TCR) to officially
proclaim June as Recreation Month in Newfoundland and Labrador. At rear,
from left, are John Angelopoulos (TCR); Candice Petten, Michelle Hunt
and Gary Milley (RNL); and David Doyle, Glen Littlejohn and Juanita
Keel-Ryan (TCR).
Media contacts:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Gary Milley
Executive Director
Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-3892
Garymilley@recreationnl.com |
2008 06 16
10:40 a.m.
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