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Get Armidale!
Whatever your age and fitness level, there’s an opportunity to try something new, increase your fitness and have some fun to boot from October 22 to November 4! Sport Coordinators Amy Biggs and Alex Piddington explain the Get Active Armidale programme, which offers a huge array of activities that cater for all interests … and best of all, this programme’s “come and try” sessions are all FREE! Let’s get active, Armidale!
H
ow long has “Get Active Armidale” been in existence, and what was the impetus behind the programme? Get Active will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2019. The Armidale Sports Council came up with the idea in 2009 to help local clubs promote their sport, while encouraging the community to get active. Get Active Armidale was created with the help of generous sponsors, including Newcastle Permanent, who continue to back the initiative. The programme now offers a range of activities for all ages to come and try for free. What is the ongoing aim/mission of Get Active Armidale? The programme is all about getting people in the Armidale region into physical activity and encouraging them to try something new! A lot of people in the community want to improve their health and wellbeing, and a great way to do that is to simply start moving more. Many people don’t know where to start, or might not know what is on offer in their local community. Get Active showcases some of the wonderful sports, clubs, organisations and businesses in our region and helps community members get in touch and involved. Get Active gives people the opportunity to try something new, free of charge, and without any commitment. For instance, if you’ve always wanted to try Zumba, cricket, or
Taekwondo but haven’t known where or how to get involved, then Get Active gives you all the information you need. The activities are FREE to try, so there is no financial commitment or long sign-up periods. When will the next session of Get Active run? The upcoming session will run for two weeks, from Monday 2nd October to Sunday 4th November. This will be the second session for 2018, with the next Get Active program set to run in March 2019. What are some of the activities people can take part in if they wish to register for the programme? We have an incredible variety of sports and activities on offer during the upcoming programme. With more than 150 sessions over the fortnight, there really is something for everyone! Activities include some of the more traditional sports, such as soccer and cricket. For those interested in water sports, there are sailing and rowing sessions. We have martial arts on offer at the PCYC, including Taekwondo, Japanese Sword and Aikido. People keen to try out a gym can sample a huge variety of classes at the PCYC, Sport UNE and Healthy Inspirations. Classes include Pump, Spin, RPM, Hiit-IT, yoga, Body Balance, Fitness Plus, circuit and many more. Healthy Inspirations is a female-only gym and offers a range of “Silver Sneakers” classes for women over the age of 55. Sport UNE also offers classes for seniors and rehabilitation. The PCYC has boxing, circuit classes and Morning
armidale.nsw.gov.au Burn on offer. PARTICIPATING IN ANY Why would you For those recovering OF THE GET ACTIVE encourage members from an injury and SESSIONS ON OFFER IS NOT of the Armidale and needing a gentle ONLY A GREAT WAY TO wider communities to and supported way IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH “Get Active”? of returning to AND WELLBEING, BUT ALSO The benefits of exercise, both Altitude TO MEET PEOPLE, TRY NEW physical activity are Physiotherapy and Move THINGS, AND HAVE FUN! extensive and well Better for Life at Rusden documented. A dose Street Physiotherapy have of regular fun exercise classes on offer, including - every day, ideally Pilates, Yoga and Better Balance. leads to better physical and mental health Zumba and No Lights No Lycra offer the and can help to keep you connected to your opportunity of dancing in a non-judgemental community. and fun environment. The ever popular Participating in any of the Get Active sessions with New England Mountain Bikers sessions on offer is not only a great way to are back for another programme and are sure improve your health and wellbeing, but also to meet people, try new things, and have fun! to draw a crowd. We also have New England How can we register/find out more Barbell and Creighton Personal Training info - and what costs are involved for offering sessions, along with Volleybounce at participants? Sport and Rec, Athletics and Little Athletics. All activities are FREE! Registrations forms For those people who work in the health can be downloaded or completed online by and fitness industries - gyms, personal visiting the Armidale Regional Council website trainers, sports clubs etc. - how can they become involved? at www.armidaleregional.nsw.gov.au The Get Active timetable for October/ Registrations forms can also be picked up from the Council office at 135 November 2018 has been finalised and Rusden Street or your local Newcastle expressions of interest from clubs and Permanent Branch. providers has closed. However, we are always looking for new and exciting activities to For further information, please contact Amy offer, and will be running another session in or Alex on 1300 136 833 or by email at sportscouncil@armidale.nsw.gov.au March 2019. Note it in your diary if you’re Thanks Amy and Alex. interested in hosting a session or two! For more information, please email sportscouncil@ Interview: Jo Robinson. New England focus. 45