Australian Sports Commission joins global movement to get children active

The Australian Sports Commission has announced it will be a principal partner for the Movement to Move Event in Adelaide in November, a major international initiative that will examine the physical activity levels and health of children and adolescents around the world.

The Movement to Move Event presented by Active Healthy Kids Australia (AHKA), the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance (AHKGA), will present the Physical Activity Report Cards for children and youth from 49 countries.

The Report Cards track children’s activity globally and inform nations about the practices, education and planning that may help to improve the longer-term health of their communities.

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Chief Executive Kate Palmer (pictured below) says the agency has come on board to support the message that physical activity is vital for children’s health.

Palmer explained “the Australian Sports Commission is committed to making Australia the world’s most active nation and a huge part of that ambition is about creating generational change so Australian children move more often.

“We know children can benefit holistically from sport and physical activity, which includes boosting their physical and mental health, their social development and their ability to learn. By creating active habits in children, we can put them on the path to active and more productive lives.

“This event offers global insights and context for how we are doing here in Australia. Bringing so many experts together to consider the international progress being made to keep children active is invaluable.”

Event convenor and Active Health Kids Australia Co-Chair, UniSA’s Dr Natasha Schranz says support from the ASC is hugely important, advising “we are delighted to have them on board as the principal partner of the Movement to Move.

“As the Australian Government’s peak body for sport and physical activity, the ASC strives to support the development of children’s physical literacy to promote lifelong participation in physical activity.

“Their support of the Event is a symbol of their willingness to be part of a movement to get all kids moving more.”

The Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance includes 49 countries who have committed to producing the Physical Activity Report Cards for the 2018 Global Matrix of Grades.

The nations are: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, England, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Guernsey (Channel Islands), Hong Kong, India, Japan, Jersey (Channel Islands), Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Wales and Zimbabwe.

For more infotmation go to www.activehealthykidsaustralia.com.au