Push Play Nation Begins Sunday

Media Release
14 September 2007

Push Play Nation Begins Sunday
SPARC makes it easier than ever to get more active, more often

Amid mounting evidence to support the case that physical activity is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle, SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) this weekend kicks off the second year of its Push Play Nation campaign.

The seven-week campaign concludes with Push Play Day on 2 November. Once again this year, Push Play Nation provides ideas on how to be active with programmes from well known New Zealand personalities.

Maggie Barry is promoting a walking programme; Petra Bagust a `Family Fit’ routine; Robbie Magasiva a running routine; Tawera Nikau, his own fitness `Game Plan’ and Mike Chunn a `Workplace Workout.’

This year’s campaign differs from 2006 in that New Zealanders do not need to register to receive a Push Play Nation support pack. Instead, 12-month activity diaries will be available free from Rebel Sport, Countdown supermarkets or Avanti dealers nationwide while stocks last, or the diary can be downloaded from the SPARC website. SPARC has produced 200,000 activity diaries to be distributed through these outlets.

The activity diaries allow participants to create a personalised fitness programme that aligns with their physical activity needs and abilities. Activity diaries will include a green and white wristband for participants to wear during the seven weeks of Push Play Nation. Spot prizes will be awarded to individuals who are seen wearing their wristbands.

Participants can also register on SPARC’s website to enter into a draw for prizes from Rebel Sport, Avanti, Canterbury and Sanitarium.

``The Push Play message is all about having fun while you get active, and working physical activity into your everyday life,’’ said SPARC Push Play Manager, Deb Hurdle. ``This year, we wanted to make it as simple as possible for New Zealanders to establish a long-term habit of physical activity by Pushing Play in a way that is both fun and rewarding.’’

Push Play participants can also sign-up for weekly encouragement emails from celebrities through the SPARC website (www.sparc.org.nz). The Push Play activity diaries will also promote ACC’s www.activesmart.co.nz website where participants can create their own personalised running, walking or cycling programme.

``Our message to New Zealanders is to join the rest of the country and find out just how physical activity can help you sleep better, feel more energised and in control of your life,’’ added Hurdle.

Push Play Nation is part of SPARC’s long-term Push Play campaign to get New Zealanders up and active. In 2005, SPARC launched the successful Activator wheel – an activity tool designed for people who wanted to get active, but didn’t know where to start.

``Push Play Nation builds on from the Activator campaign and goes one step further by giving you ideas on how to be active for a whole month as it takes 21-30 days to form a habit,’’ said Hurdle. ``The 12-month diary gives people a real opportunity to track their progress and make a real commitment to be active.’’

SPARC’s last national survey (2001-2002) showed 32% (or 233,000) young people and 32% (or 878,000) adults were insufficiently active to gain health benefits at that time, completing either no physical activity at all a week or less than 2.5 hours.

Adults are encouraged to engage in 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity at least five days per week. ``Which means brisk walking, rather than walking at window shopping pace,’’ said Hurdle.

``We’ve come a long way in the past few years, with more people becoming active than ever before, but we want this to continue and believe Push Play Nation will help encourage people to keep up the good work,’’ Hurdle added.

SPARC is the crown entity responsible for promoting, encouraging and supporting sport and physical recreation in New Zealand. For more details, visit www.sparc.org.nz.

ENDS

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