ARV and YMCA Victoria team up to pilot new BEAST physical activity program

Aquatics & Recreation Victoria (ARV) and YMCA Victoria have submitted a successful proposal for a pilot new physical activity program for primary aged students as part of the 2016 VicHealth Innovations Challenge.

The BEAST (Before School Energy Active Sports Tribe) program is designed for 10 to 12 year-old students and will take place at recreation centres once a week before school.

It will involve groups of up to 15 students who will undertake a wide range of physical activities, including aquatic games, group exercise, functional training, running and ball sports.

With all sessions to be designed and led by the YMCA program leaders, a healthy breakfast and transport to school will also be included.

Introducing BEAST, YMCA Victoria Program Development Specialist Janelle Falkingham explained “older primary aged children are at real risk of developing unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as inactivity and poor dietary choices.

“Habits developed at a young age can also be much harder to give up as we get older.

“We recognise this, and want to take a lead to do more to address the problem as a community.”

ARV Chief Executive Anthony McIntosh added “we are super excited to partner with YMCA Victoria to pilot BEAST in the coming months, and we congratulate VicHealth for running the Innovations Challenge.

“The research tells us that physical literacy levels in Australian kids are reducing every decade. As BEAST has the potential to be replicated in almost 100 aquatic recreation centres right across Victoria, there’s big potential to help reverse this trend and realise some enormously positive community impacts.”

BEAST is designed to inspire and educate children, to encourage them to keep active and make healthy lifestyle choices, as well as build social connections. ARV and YMCA also share the goal of improving general physical literacy levels in Victorian children.

Two pilot programs will be delivered at the YMCA in Dandenong in term 4, 2016 and term 1, 2017.

Further information about the program details will be released in coming weeks.

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