Photo (L-R): Miranda Merritt, Casey Currie, Taylor MacKinnon, Minister Currie
(PEI Gov’t) Over 2,330 Island children will run, jump, throw and twirl this week as they experience some of the fundamental movements of sport at the 5th annual PEI Sports Fair, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“As Minister responsible for Sport, Recreation and Healthy Living, I want to applaud Sport PEI and our provincial sport organizations for this outstanding initiative,” said Minister Currie. “The Sports Fair is about exposing our Island youth to the many different varieties of sport available here in Prince Edward Island. Students have the opportunity to learn about and participate in 20 different sports in a safe and fun environment.”
Over a two-day period, the Sport Fair, hosted by Sport PEI, will have over 2,330 school-aged children in grades 3-6 visit the fair and experience 20 different Island sports. Each child will have an opportunity to handle a football, drive a golf ball, take a slap shot, shoot a basket, spike a set, throw a curling rock, do a karate kick or even twirl like a figure skater.
“The Sport Fair is also about introducing our young people to the basic movement skills of sport. As children play and try different sports, they develop a broad base of fundamental motor skills,” said Minister Currie. “I am pleased that our government is able to support Sport PEI and initiatives like this.”
At the recent meeting of Canada’s provincial, territorial and federal wellness ministers, a review of the current state of physical fitness across the country and the rapidly rising rate of obesity was a priority discussion. “The obesity rates in children across the country has almost tripled in the last 25 years; prevention and promotion initiatives for physical fitness and healthy eating are critical, and it needs to start at childhood,” said Minister Currie. “Reversing trends in childhood overweight and obesity is a collective priority for action by all governments across the country. Here in Prince Edward Island, we need to continue the great work we are doing with programs like go!PEI and further develop initiatives such as our Active Start Program. Today’s Sports Fair is a great example of promoting physical activity to young Islanders.”
The Sports Fair is taking place this week, October 23 and 24, at the PEI Indoor Soccer Complex. For more information, contact Sport PEI at (902) 368-4110.