Published Tuesday, 02 December, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
SPORTING CHAMPIONS TO VISIT INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES: SPENCE
Queensland Indigenous communities will get the chance to meet some of Australia’s most popular sporting identities when “super coach” Laurie Lawrence and rugby league legends Steve Renouf and Rod Jensen visit communities in Thursday Island, Yarrabah, Doomadgee and Aurukun starting tomorrow.
Sport Minister Judy Spence said the trio’s collective achievements at the elite level are matched by their commitment to getting kids active at the grassroots level.
“Laurie will be visiting pools in the four Indigenous communities, discussing the benefits of getting active and to demonstrate some important pool safety practices,” Ms Spence said.
“He has coached some of Australia’s greatest swimmers but has never lost sight of the importance of getting children involved in swimming at an early age and to participate in a safe and positive environment.”
Ms Spence said Laurie Lawrence will be joined by Rod Jensen on Thursday Island and Steve Renouf at Yarrabah, Doomadgee and Aurukun where they will continue to promote the benefits of active lifestyles to kids.
“Steve and Rod have both enjoyed long and distinguished rugby league careers and along with Laurie, use their experiences at the elite level to encourage kids to get involved in physical activity as a part of their daily lives.
“In addition to hearing from these three sporting greats, communities will also be able to grab some healthy snacks and practical information on how they can incorporate healthy foods and physical activity into their day,” Ms Spence said.
The Bligh Government has funded a range of facilities and services in indigenous communities to encourage participation in sport and recreational activities, as part of the Government’s goal to make Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people.
“Through our commitment to Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland, we have a target to decrease obesity rates by one third before 2020.
“We are working towards this goal through the Find Your 30 campaign, which shows how easy it is to make healthy living a part of your everyday lifestyle.
“It takes only 30 minutes of physical activity a day for adults to gain significant health benefits, and three sessions of 10 minute activity is just as good as a continuous 30 minutes,” Ms Spence said.
The community visits will take place at Thursday Island (Wednesday 3 December, 10am), Yarrabah (Thursday 4 December, 11am), Doomadgee (Tuesday 9 December, 1:30pm) and Aurukun (Thursday 11 December, 2pm).
For more information or to contact the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation visit www.sportrec.qld.gov.au or call 1300 656 191.
Media Contact: 3239 6218
Sport Minister Judy Spence said the trio’s collective achievements at the elite level are matched by their commitment to getting kids active at the grassroots level.
“Laurie will be visiting pools in the four Indigenous communities, discussing the benefits of getting active and to demonstrate some important pool safety practices,” Ms Spence said.
“He has coached some of Australia’s greatest swimmers but has never lost sight of the importance of getting children involved in swimming at an early age and to participate in a safe and positive environment.”
Ms Spence said Laurie Lawrence will be joined by Rod Jensen on Thursday Island and Steve Renouf at Yarrabah, Doomadgee and Aurukun where they will continue to promote the benefits of active lifestyles to kids.
“Steve and Rod have both enjoyed long and distinguished rugby league careers and along with Laurie, use their experiences at the elite level to encourage kids to get involved in physical activity as a part of their daily lives.
“In addition to hearing from these three sporting greats, communities will also be able to grab some healthy snacks and practical information on how they can incorporate healthy foods and physical activity into their day,” Ms Spence said.
The Bligh Government has funded a range of facilities and services in indigenous communities to encourage participation in sport and recreational activities, as part of the Government’s goal to make Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people.
“Through our commitment to Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland, we have a target to decrease obesity rates by one third before 2020.
“We are working towards this goal through the Find Your 30 campaign, which shows how easy it is to make healthy living a part of your everyday lifestyle.
“It takes only 30 minutes of physical activity a day for adults to gain significant health benefits, and three sessions of 10 minute activity is just as good as a continuous 30 minutes,” Ms Spence said.
The community visits will take place at Thursday Island (Wednesday 3 December, 10am), Yarrabah (Thursday 4 December, 11am), Doomadgee (Tuesday 9 December, 1:30pm) and Aurukun (Thursday 11 December, 2pm).
For more information or to contact the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation visit www.sportrec.qld.gov.au or call 1300 656 191.
Media Contact: 3239 6218