Push Play Month

We all need to get active, but some of us need a bit more of a 'push' than others!

Sport Tararua is running a campaign in conjunction with Sport Manawatu to promote active lifestyles from 29 September to 7 November, commonly known as Push Play month.

The Push Play message is branded to help raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity with the vision being to make New Zealand the world’s most active nation. Push Play is a nationwide SPARC campaign to get more New Zealanders more active more often. All it takes is just 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for kids.

Sport Tararua will be supporting a variety of activities throughout Push Play month but the main focus will be the Workplace Challenge that will run for the duration of the campaign. The Workplace challenge is about getting organisations in the Tararua District to exercise as much as possible. The challenge finishes on Friday 7 November, which is Push Play Day.

This challenge is an opportunity for businesses to support a worthwhile initiative and to advocate an active workplace to their employees. Getting your workplace active has many benefits. Having active employees can help to reduce stress and sickness, and encourage a positive atmosphere.

Last year seven businesses were involved in the challenge, which provided some great competition around the Tararua district and throughout the Manawatu. So far 10 local businesses have signed up to get more active. There are great spot prizes up for grabs including three one-month memberships at Activate gym in Dannevirke. Although for many the motivator will be the social and health benefits rather than prizes.

Primary schools in the area have also been encouraged to join in the celebrations of Push Play month by registering their school to play a game of “Tag You’re It” on Push Play Day. This unique competition will run throughout the Manawatu region.

If you are stuck for ideas on how you could get active over Push Play month then log onto the Sport Manawatu website www.sportmanawatu.org.nz and check out the Sport Tararua page or call Pip Hubbard, Sport Tararua 06 374 4136.