Hamish Carter Provides Inspiration For Kiwi Kids

Monday 10 January 2005

Hamish Carter Provides Inspiration For Kiwi Kids To Get Active Through An Online Training Programme

Hamish Carter will headline a national programme in 2005 designed to promote fitness and active, healthy lifestyles among New Zealand youth, entitled Weet-Bix Try.Tr@iner with Hamish Carter.

Weet-Bix Try.Tr@iner was launched in 2004 as an online training programme for kids planning to participate in the Weet-Bix Tryathlon.

This year, with Hamish's involvement, the programme will expand to include a 15-week series of motivational messages from Hamish, which will include personal stories that encourage kiwi kids to develop good nutrition and physical activity habits that they will maintain throughout their lives.

Hamish explains how he was influenced by Kiwi athletes, including John Walker breaking the sub 4 minute mile, while he was growing up. He says his involvement with the Weet-Bix Try.Tr@iner programme provides him an opportunity to inspire the next generation.

"When I was eight years old I saw John Walker win his gold medal at the Olympic games. I was inspired and dreamed of one day doing the same. Now through the Weet-Bix Tryathlon series I have the opportunity to inspire the next generation. Positive role models were so important for me, as they are important for young people today and I hope I can have the same effect on kids today that John Walker had on me," explains Carter.

The ad, called "Generations" is all about positive role models. It features a young Hamish Carter, played by Hamish's nephew, watching John Walker breaking the four-minute mile in Munich, and cuts to a young girl watching Hamish winning the gold medal in Athens. The final scene shows a young girl going on to finish the Weet-Bix Tryathlon and receive a medal, from her role model, Hamish Carter.

Hamish says he welcomes the opportunity to be a positive role model for the 7,000 Kiwi Kids anticipated to sign up for Try.Tr@iner this year, a few of which may be the next elite level triathletes, and the majority of which he hopes will discover a love of staying active that stays with them forever.

"It's important for kids to have a fun, balanced life, and this begins with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Try.Tr@iner will help you get ready for the Weet-Bix Tryathlon and encourage good habits that will last a lifetime."

Weet-Bix Brand Manager, Rob Bowring, said the Weet-Bix Try.Tr@iner programme is aimed at helping address the growing problem of childhood inactivity in New Zealand, by providing positive role models such as Hamish as well as increasing the confidence levels of participants and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

"The Weet-Bix Try.Tr@iner programme encourages children and their families to get active, by providing them a professional training programme, nutrition tips, support and encouragement from Hamish Carter, in a fun environment," said Bowring.

Children who sign-up for Try.Tr@iner are asked specific questions to determine the best training programme to suit their fitness and skill levels.

Once they are signed up for the programme, kids follow their training schedule for four weeks prior to the Weet-Bix Tryathlon event.

During training, participants log progress into a weekly on-line diary, which keeps track of distances they have swum, run and cycled and helps them track their progress toward their goals for that week.

This year, by registering in the Weet-Bix Try.Tr@iner, participants will be entered to win an opportunity to have Hamish Carter as their personal coach on race day.

Sanitarium manages and funds the Weet-Bix Tryathlon, which is aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of New Zealand children and promoting the importance of regular exercise, coupled with a nutritious balanced diet.

To register for Weet-Bix Try.Tr@iner with Hamish Carter, visit http://tryathlon.weet-bix.co.nz/training/

ENDS

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