Gecko Kids Fitness comes to Port Hedland

Children in Port Hedland can now be active throughout the year, with the launch of Gecko Kids Fitness at the new Wanangkura Stadium.

Located at the new multi-million dollar YMCA managed facility, which reopened on 24th September, the Gecko programs offer age appropriate activities for children aged five to 14 years.

Wanangkura Stadium Centre Manager Melanie Starr explained that the program will provide children with a means to maintain or increase their activity levels when the weather would otherwise not permit.

Starr explains "when temperatures get up to 45 degrees in Port Hedland, having the option of participating in indoor physical activity in an air-conditioned environment will be great for kids.

"The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity appears to be increasing relatively rapidly.

"According to the WA Health and Wellbeing Surveillance System, approximately one in four children in the Pilbara- Gascoyne health region are overweight or obese, so childhood fitness is an area we are really focusing on."

Gecko Kids Fitness Chief Executive Sam Wood said children's fitness was not about treadmills, mirrors and big weight machines, stating "as adults we go to a gym or exercise as we have an understanding of the health benefits but, kids are different.

"Their concept of health and wellbeing is completely different to that of an adult. They want to have fun, run faster, jump higher, or just hang out with friends. So what stimulates kids? Music, colours, people, challenges and fun and they get bucket loads of it at Gecko."

Wood is eager to point out that Gecko Kids Fitness should not be considered just a weight reduction program for children, adding "that's not what Gecko is about. Sure weight loss can be an outcome, but it's more about giving kids a window where they can maximise their development and coordination, adopt healthy lifestyle habits and attitudes and ideally make sport and fitness a fundamental part of their lives."

For more information on Gecko Kids Fitness, now known as Gecko Sports, click here to view their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

10th September 2012 - WANANGKURA STADIUM SET TO REOPEN? 

18th May 2012 - GECKO KIDS FITNESS REFINES PARTNERSHIP MODEL

 4th April 2012 - GECKO KIDS FITNESS PROGRAM LAUNCHES AT GOLDFIELDS OASIS

28th April 2011 - GECKO KIDS FITNESS SET TO OPEN SEVENTH CLUB