Celebrating Tasmania's physical activity success

Tasmanians are being encouraged to nominate councils, schools and communities for projects supporting physical activity, for the 2013 Medibank Active Tasmania Awards.

Backing the Awards, Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings said Tasmania was ranked equal second in the country for regular participation in physical activity, equal with Western Australia and behind only the ACT, stating "the latest figures show 26.5% of Tasmanians over 15 participate in physical activity at least three times a week.

"This represents Tasmania's highest ever ranking and is the first time in the history of sport and recreation surveys that Tasmania has achieved a regular participation rate that is above the national average, which is at 25.6%.

"The Tasmanian rate of participation five or more times per week is 15.5%, which is also above the national average of 13.1% and is also the second highest ranking of all states and territories.

"The plan now is to improve on these figures into the future and for Tasmania to fully realise the healthy benefits of having more people being physically active.

"Programs like the Medibank Active Tasmania awards are playing an important role in highlighting the benefits of physical activity to the Tasmanian community.

"The improving participation figures are due in part to the efforts, innovation and creativity of a range of organisations in government and the community."

Premier Giddings added that nominating physical activity projects for a Medibank Active Tasmania Award was the best way to recognise and highlight the work of these organisations and the people behind them.

The 2013 Awards included $31,000 in prize money across five major categories:

Local Government - City

Local Government - Other

School or Group of Schools

Community Groups

Collaboration or Partnership.

Nominations close on Friday 9th August 2013.

For more information call 1800 252 476.

http://www.getmoving.tas.gov.au