Kids summer fitness challenge returns to Rye

The hugely successful scheme, which saw over 2,000 children across Sussex take part in 2012, aims to motivate youngsters to increase their levels of physical activity during the school summer holidays.

This year’s challenge got underway this week and runs to September 8. It is completely free to all participants between the ages of 4 – 14.

Each child participating in the challenge receives a free fitness diary on which they record all their activities and, for every ten they complete, Freedom Leisure gives them a reward. The aim is to complete 30 physical activities throughout the course of the summer holidays collecting rewards as they go and being presented with a certificate at the end. Rewards on offer include fun fitness toys such as frisbees, tennis balls and yoyos as well as vouchers for activities like family swimming or badminton.

The challenge aims to promote a healthier lifestyle for young people. It also supports parents by making exercise fun at a time when all school and extracurricular sports classes are on hold for the holidays.

Children are encouraged to try as wide a variety of activities as possible. All activity counts, from a family cycle ride or football in the park to swimming or walking the dog.

Freedom Leisure Managing Director Jeff Hart said: “With child obesity a growing national concern we hope the Junior Summer Fitness Challenge will encourage more children in Rye to build activity into their lives. Exercise should be fun, rewarding and a great way to stay healthy; this scheme is an excellent way of combining all three!”

Councillor Jonathan Johnson, Rother District Council’s spokesperson on Young People, Sport and Equalities said: “Getting kids to stay active over the summer months is no mean feat. This challenge is great because it engages all children, regardless of their sporting preferences and ability, and rewards them for simply being active, whether it’s through playing football or simply walking the dog.”

Participants can register for the challenge at Rye Sports Centre. Alternatively they can sign up online at www.freedom-leisure.co.uk.