MEDIA RELEASE
23 March 2009

Free sports and recreation for Manukau Youth

The John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation is launching AMP’d, another exciting sports and recreation initiative for Manukau youth, this Friday, 27 March.

The AMP’d programme, developed to encourage youth to become more active and engaged in sport and physical recreation, will be launched by former Kiwi skipper Ruben Wiki, along with local sports clubs, at Jellicoe Park in Manurewa at 3.30pm.

It comprises a Youth Drop-In programme, Youth Team-Building programme and Youth Leadership programme – all at no cost to participants.

The AMP’d programme looks to develop the sporting and leadership skills of our young people, and encourage them to join sports clubs, says New Zealand sports icon and Manukau City Councillor John Walker.

Councillor Walker and other FYFOD trustees are expected to attend the launch to inspire the attending youth who will participate in free sport and physical recreation activities including tennis, athletics, rugby league and team-building activities run by Counties Manukau Active. There will be a draw to win many prizes including an iPod Nano.

The Youth Drop-In programme is to be initially launched in Manurewa at four different locations: Manurewa Recreation Reserve, Randwick Park, Rowandale Reserve and Clendon Recreation Reserve. Students have the opportunity to drop-in and take part in a range of sport and recreation activities including touch rugby, volleyball, streetball and ultimate Frisbee, on weekdays from 3.30pm to 6pm and Saturdays from 2pm to 6pm.

“We encourage anyone aged between 11 and 17 to drop in at one of the participating parks and get involved,” says Kelly Robertson, project manager for the foundation.

“Any youth, aged 13 to 17 who show promise, will be selected for the Youth Team Building programme. These students will participate in outdoor team-building activities including kayaking, sailing, mountain biking and rock climbing,” she says. These activities will be held twice a month.

The Youth Team Building programme also offers opportunities to develop leadership skills. “Each month, six youth who display enthusiasm for personal development will be selected to participate in the Youth Leadership Programme,” says Ms Robertson. On completion, the students will have the opportunity to assist in developing and delivering events for the Youth Drop In programme.

The programme, including equipment and equipment van, is funded by The Southern Trust and delivered by Manukau City Council-owned Manukau Leisure Services Ltd.

For more details about AMP’d, visit ampd.org.nz from 1 April.

ENDS

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