Young victorians encouraged to get a move on for health

The Andrews Labor Government is giving Victorian kids more opportunities to lace up the boots, hit the dance studio or slide down to a skatepark, as part of a refreshed campaign promoting physical activity.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today announced the launch of the Get Your Move On campaign in Macedon as well as the latest Active Schools grant recipients.

Get Your Move On encourages kids to engage in 15 minutes of physical activity four times a day, through activities they enjoy – like walking their dog, riding to school, or kicking a football with friends.

It is part of the broader $24.2 million Active Schools initiative ensuring all Victorians aged 5 to 18 years old have the skills, confidence and motivation to live a happy and healthy life by boosting their physical movement each day outside of school.

Active Schools supports schools to take a holistic approach to physical activity, recognising there is no single solution to shifting inactivity, and encourages kids to be active through quality physical education, quality school sport, active classrooms, active travel, active recreation and a supportive school environment.

Active Schools Grants are for the purchase of sports equipment, to up skill physical education teachers and to engage local organisations and clubs to deliver sporting programs.

Among the 96 Victorian schools to receive $30,000, through the latest round, is Daylesford Primary School and Langley Primary School.

The grants can also be used to make classrooms more active, encourage greater active travel to and from school through bicycle education programs, upgrade playgrounds to support greater physical activity, and provide opportunities for more recreation activities such as dance, Pilates or skateboarding.

Quote attributable to Mary-Anne Thomas Member for Macedon
"The Get Your Move On initiative will be really exciting for young people in Macedon, encouraging them to find something they enjoy doing to get active – just for 15 minutes, four times a day."

"Just a small amount of extra physical activity is all it takes to boost the social, physical and mental health of young people – in turn boosting educational outcomes."

"The Active Schools Grant is a gamechanger for our local schools by helping students with extra sporting programs and initiatives, while enhancing Victoria’s reputation as the Education State."