Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Health and Community Services
May 3, 2011
New After School Initiative Encourages Youth to Get More Physically Active
With the launch of the new After School Physical Activity pilot initiative, participating schools throughout the province will have the opportunity to provide students in Grades 4-9 with physical activity during the after-school time period. Applications for the pilot initiative are now available and are open to selected partnerships between schools and community recreation groups.
The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, said the introduction of this pilot initiative supports two of the key goals and objectives outlined in the Provincial Government’s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador.
“After school hours are a critical time for children and youth,” said Minister French. “Research has shown that this a sedentary time of the day for many youth. We are hopeful that this project will provide opportunities for them to get more active on a regular basis and engage in various physical activities in a safe and inviting environment.”
The deadline for receipt of applications is Wednesday, June 1, 2011. Selected applicants will receive up to $25,000 per school year to assist in the delivery of enhanced after school initiatives that demonstrate increased physical activity and recreational opportunities for children and youth. The pilot initiative will run for two school years. Details on the initiative and required criteria can be viewed at www.gov.nl.ca/tcr (select the recreation and sport link).
The Provincial Government is investing $1 million to support the After School Physical Activity initiative. This pilot initiative was announced in Budget 2010 and is being delivered in collaboration with the Department of Health and Community Services. It supports the Provincial Wellness Plan, Go Healthy - Achieving Health and Wellness in Newfoundland and Labrador, which was released in 2006 and is aimed at improving the health of the provincial population and helping all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians achieve their optimal state of wellness.
“The After School Physical Activity initiative further demonstrates our government’s commitment to promoting and encouraging healthy living,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “It is especially important to provide young people with the opportunity to live healthier, more active lives. Our government will continue to make strategic investments to put the supports in place for residents to lead healthy lives.”
Increasing physical activity in children and youth in the after school period was a key discussion point at the last federal-provincial-territorial meeting of ministers responsible for recreation and sport, held February 10-11, 2011 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador provides $11.5 million to support recreation and sport in the province. Since the launch of the Provincial Government’s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador (2007), more than $70 million has been committed to recreational and sport infrastructure, programming, and athlete development throughout the province.
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Media contacts:
| Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation 709-729-0928, 631-8155 DianaQuinton@gov.nl.ca |
Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
2011 05 03 3:05 p.m.