Sport Canterbury team to enter Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Making a commitment to the 2019 Kathmandu Coast to Coast is part of Sport Canterbury’s approach to ‘walking the talk’ in encouraging people to engage in physical activity, with the organisation encouraging local councils and sporting organisations to do the same.

Sport Canterbury Chief Execuitve Julyan Falloon stated “as the Regional Sports Trust for the Canterbury West Coast region, everything we do is about getting and keeping people engaged with sport and physical activity.

“We actively promote workplace wellness and opportunities to support our own team in their sport and recreation interests. An iconic event like the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is a chance to remind organisations across this region what a great impact being active has on mental as well as physical wellbeing.”

Falloon (pictured) plans on challenging the Christchurch City Council and Sport Southland to enter a team in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in a bid to foster local and regional rivalry.

He added “entering a team is not only about the individuals actually competing, but inspires community support, with work colleagues, friends and family involved in the lead up and event as well.”

Held every February, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast starts on the West Coast at Kumara Beach and traverses the width of the South Island, crossing the main divide finishing on the East Coast at the Pier on New Brighton Beach in Christchurch.

Sport Canterbury have entered in the Two Day event three person Corporate Challenge with Falloon, a former national football representative, taking on the 33 kilometre mountain run, Sport Canterbury General Manager Bruce Morton will do the 140 kilometres of cycling while the organisation’s Community Sport Advisor Zara Taylor will tackle the 70 kilometre kayak down the Waimakariri River.

Falloon added “we are looking forward to getting out and involving the wider team in training adventures building up toward February’s event.

“We hope other Canterbury and West Coast businesses may follow our example, to see the event as a team-building exercise and example of encouraging staff to set goals around their own sport, recreation and wellbeing.”