More People In Tasman Are About To 'Get Moving'

New region wide initiative focused on getting people walking, running and cycling.

Tasman and Nelson residents are set to become fitter and healthier thanks to $300,000 from SPARC’s Active Communities fund for the “Get Moving” project. Tasman District Council, Nelson City Council and Nelson Marlborough District Health Board will add to that funding to create a total investment of $450,000 over the three years of the project.

“Get Moving” aims to encourage more people in our region to walk and cycle, plus to connect them with local clubs and sports organisations. Council staff time and volunteers will contribute to the campaign.

“Our region is already an active one” says Mike Tasman-Jones, Tasman District Council’s Community Recreation Adviser and leader of the Get Moving Project. “What we want to achieve with Get Moving is to get even more people cycling, walking and running on a daily basis for recreation and sport.”

Get Moving will develop a range of entry level activities and events to encourage people to participate. It’s known that safety concerns, lack of knowledge of routes, lack of support and having no-one to participate with are key barriers to getting involved. Get Moving addresses this by creating and promoting fun, local and flexible opportunities. The “have a go type” events across the region will be a first step but we will be encouraging participants to challenge themselves by getting into entry level competitive events run by local clubs, event organisers and Get Moving.

Alongside these activities a coordinating framework will be developed so that clubs and event organisers can work better together ensuring that the community can easily find out what’s on and how they can get involved.

“Councils are continuing to invest in wonderful sports infrastructure across the region including walk and cycle paths, sports fields and athletic tracks” said Mike, “with projects like Get Moving we want to ensure all the community get the opportunities to enjoy and benefit from this investment”.

Get Moving is an initiative of the Tasman District Council with input and support from local cycling and athletic clubs and organisations, Nelson City Council, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board and Sport Tasman. The target is to get over 200 people participating in activator programmes, 1000 in Ride and Stride, 500 in guided walks and rides and 1000 in Get Moving walking and cycling events.

The first Get Moving initiatives are targeted for Spring 2011. Look out for opportunities to join in and get active.