The Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth, today announced a record number of students have registered to take part in this year’s Premier’s Sporting Challenge.

Ms Firth said over 165,000 students from across the State will take part in the 2009 Challenge - more than twice as many participants as last year

“This is fantastic effort, and I commend these students on taking up the challenge to get fit and active this year,” Ms Firth said.

“Sport and physical activity have the potential to give children and young people the physical, mental and social edge to succeed.

“That is why the Premier’s Sporting Challenge is about giving students across the state the best possible foundation for a healthy life.”

Ms Firth said the Challenge encourages encourage every student to take up
more physical activity or group sport events.

“The Premier’s Primary and Secondary School Sport Challenge is a minimum 10-week initiative for students to be more active, more often,” she added.

“Students are encouraged to participate in a minimum of 30 minutes a day of activity, throughout the Challenge.

“This activity can take place in and out of school time and may include brisk walking to school, school sport, bike riding with friends, football training, yoga or dance.

“The Challenge finishes on 2nd October 2009 and awards for students and schools who reached benchmarks of physical activity will be presented in Term 4. In 2008, over 90% of participants achieved a Premier’s Sporting Challenge Silver Award”.

Ms Firth said the NSW Government is working hard to provide our students with the best sporting facilities possible to allow them to reach their full potential.

“Research shows that physical activity is essential for children and young
adults, for their mental, physical and social development,” she added.

“That is why the Rees Government is dedicating $58 million to reinvigorating sport and physical activity in public schools through the Premier’s Sporting Challenge.

“Over four years, the Challenge will spend $30 million on capital works to
improve school and related sports facilities, while another $20 million
will provide students with greater access to sports equipment.

“We are also investing $8 million for the very successful Premier’s Primary and Secondary School Sport Challenges, which encourages students to be more active  each day.”

The Premier’s Sporting Challenge is supported by over 20 state sporting organisations including Principal Partner, Rugby League’s One Community and Major Partners, Sydney Markets and Integral Energy.

It is also supported by sport ambassadors and elite athletes who visit schools across the State to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to school communities.