'Choose Heart and Sport' project puts kids on the move
On Wednesday morning, the festive kick-off of the 'Choose Heart and Sport' project took place in sports hall De Nije Westermar in Burgum. Pupils from groups 5 to 8 from elementary school in Tytsjerksteradiel came together for a sporting kick-off of the project. Alderman Caroline de Pee mentioned in her opening speech the importance of exercise, fun and health. She addressed the children, teachers and sports providers.
Moving more; healthy and fun
"Exercise is not only healthy, but also fun. With this project we let children discover what suits them. As a municipality, we think it's important that every child has the opportunity to grow up fit and confident," said Alderman De Pee. The project responds to a growing need for children to get more and varied exercise. In the Netherlands, 1 in 8 elementary school children is overweight and, according to GGD Fryslân, less than half of them get enough exercise daily. With "Choose Heart and Sport," the municipality wants to encourage children to be active, discover new sports and become aware of healthy choices.
Local associations
The project is carried out by the sports team High Five, in cooperation with schools, and associations. Local associations presented themselves with a variety of sports such as rugby (Greate Pier), karate (Kaihatsu), fierljeppen (Ljeppersklub Burgum), dance (SDM) and 3x3 basketball (3x3 Unites). By letting children do different sports, they discover that there is always a sport that suits them.
Various activities
'Choose Heart and Sport' runs during the school year and consists of several activities. One is the 'Lekker Fit' theory module with workbooks on nutrition and exercise. These workbooks are provided free of charge and financed by the municipality. In March the pupils receive extra gym lessons by external subject teachers. Schools can choose from Fryske sports, judo/resilience, dance, rugby, freerunning or racket sports. And starting in April, students can be introduced to a sport of their choice at local clubs after school. These introductory lessons are coordinated by High Five in cooperation with clubs in the region.
The "Choose Heart and Sport" project.
Choose Heart and Sport is an annual sports stimulation project of the municipality of Tytsjerksteradiel, carried out by the sports team High Five. The project focuses on pupils in grades 5 through 8 and aims to encourage children to exercise more, live healthier lives and become acquainted with sports opportunities in the region. The "Choose Heart and Sport" project is in line with the municipal ambition to get and keep every resident, young and old, moving.