The children had beaming bright smiles as they unwrapped their specially labelled presents and were overwhelmed with the wonderful gifts inside which included Disney clothes, toys and treats.

Special thanks to Amanda D’Hullain from Disney for the wonderful gifts that filled the Christmas boxes and to Annette Bing and her family and friends for packing, wrapping and putting the whole concept together.

The event was a great success with 3000 children from the surrounding communities taking part in the weekend’s challenge and getting involved in a variety of different sports codes as well as being put through their Health of the Nation fitness testing.

Radio partner SAfm broadcasted live on Friday and Saturday and current Mr. South Africa, Adriaan Bergh and music icon ‘AKA’ attended the launch and put themselves through the Health of the Nation testing with some awe inspiting results.

Hip hop star Moki from kolproduk came to close the event on Sunday and his show was well received by all.

With special thanks to our title sponsors Kellogg’s; associate sponsors Virgin Active and KIA Motors; media partner SuperSport Let’s Play and radio partner SAfm and the City of Joburg for their continued support of this groundbreaking project.

50 Hour youth sports challenge is fact finding as well as fun

Over 3 000 schoolchildren from communities throughout Gauteng  will be doing more than keeping a ball in motion at the sixth annual Kellogg’s® Health of the Nation 50-Hour Sports Challenge, taking place at the Southern Suburbs Recreation Centre in Rosettenville from Friday 28 until Sunday 30 October.  The young participants will feature in important field research, which will provide information on the state of fitness and obesity in South African school children.

The Kellogg’s® Health of the Nation 50-Hour Sports Challenge, in association with Sporting Chance is the largest sporting event of its kind in the country.  Children partake in up to 15 different indoor and outdoor sporting disciplines over the course of the three days.  The participating children are exposed to a huge variety of sports, including cricket, tennis, hockey, rounders, table tennis, badminton, netball, basketball, soccer, squash, rope skipping, athletics and touch rugby.

This year, behind all the fun and games of this annual sporting extravaganza is a serious fact-finding study, a 10-year follow-up to the original ground-breaking Health of the Nation study1, which first revealed the magnitude of obesity in South African children. The resulting information and statistics will assist health and education policy makers to gauge where we are, so that they can continue steering SA youth towards healthier lifestyles.

According to Brad Bing of Sporting Chance, the youth sports development agency that conceived and coordinates the Challenge and study, while there is plenty of academic research available on adult obesity, there is a lack of current information on how the prevalence of obesity relates to children’s health and fitness in South Africa.  The 2011 study will assess the fitness and health of a large sample of youth ages nine through 13.

“Every child who participates in this year’s Challenge will first complete a fitness test,” says Bing.  “Testing personnel will measure   height, weight, waist and hip circumference, which will provide crucial statistics on the prevalence of obesity and body weight distribution. Then, children will engage in a series of exercises designed to assess flexibility, abdominal muscle strength, lower and upper body strength and agility.  These include:  sit and reach, sit-ups, standing long jump, shuttle test and a cricket ball throw.”
In 2004, data collected by Sporting Chance in conjunction with the UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa indicated that nationwide, children from all backgrounds showed a tendency towards the onset of obesity similar to that seen in developed countries.

“The genesis of the Challenge was the 2004 study, which revealed the shocking truth about South African children,” says Bing.  “We found that a large percentage of our children were already looking at probable health problems due to obesity.  It was obvious that we needed to kick-start an awareness of the importance of exercise and living a healthy lifestyle, which we hoped would grow into a passion for sport and physical activity.”
There are many reasons why South African youth are fighting the bulge. Youth are less active because physical education is no longer compulsory at schools, and at home, exercise has been largely replaced by TV and computer time.  Parents, teachers and peers are not always encouraging of physical activity.  Other crucial elements are directly related to crime and poor socio-economic conditions:  facilities and equipment are not always available or safe, street crime largely prevents children from walking and cycling to and from school, and from playing outside in their own neighbourhoods.

According to biokineticist Nicky Sulzer, who is overseeing the research:  “Research conducted on South African school children has shown that the implications of childhood obesity are truly shocking, with 25% of obese children presenting two or more cardiovascular risk factors.  Numerous studies have shown that physical activity has the potential to be a powerful ‘agent of change’ in the prevention and management of obesity, and getting kids moving is the aim of the Challenge.”

Besides giving kids the chance to play new and unfamiliar sports under enthusiastic coaches, the Challenge provides an opportunity to spot new talent, according to Bing.  Many accomplished sportsmen have benefited from the Sporting Chance coaching programmes and events, like current England International cricketer Craig Kieswetter; Lions captain Thami Tsolekile and former rugby Springbok Neil de Kock.

“Over the past five years the Challenge has grown exponentially,” says Sarah Mansfield, corporate spokesperson for the Kellogg Company of South Africa. “In addition to teaching and showing learners how to be physically active on the field, it’s also important to empower South African children to make healthy lifestyle choices off the field.

“In this light, in the weeks leading up to the Challenge, Sporting Chance hosts pre-Challenge road shows in selected communities.  The sessions address specific social concerns within communities including how to lead an active life; prevent obesity; principles of personal hygiene and nutritional guidance facilitated by Kellogg’s dietitians,” says Mansfield.

The Kellogg’s Health of the Nation 50-Hour Sports Challenge is supported by the National Department of Health Promotion.

“The promotion of sport and an active lifestyle from a young age is very important for the general wellness and well-being of our people,” says Theuns Botha the Western Cape Minister of Health. “The Western Cape Department of Health has adopted an approach to reduce the burden of disease on our system, and that is the creation of wellness. In laymen’s terms it means that the objective is to adopt an approach of preventing illness, rather than build more facilities for sick people. This government will be spending more money on the building of strong immunity, which can only be achieved by a healthy lifestyle, including sport and recreation. For this reason we strongly support the Kellogg’s® Health of the Nation 50-Hour Sports Challenge initiative and call on all learners to participate in the project. Be healthy!”

Schools or individuals wishing to participate in the Kellogg’s® Health of the Nation 50-hour Sports Challenge and research project can contact Natalie at Sporting Chance on 021 683 7299 or log onto www.sportingchance.co.za

Interact with Sporting Chance on Twitter @sportinchance – the event hashtag #sportingchanceHoTN

Cricket and soccer coaching are hosted at the Constantia Sports Complex, every Friday from 15h00 to 17h00 for the Tiny Tot, Junior and Senior age group.

Come join us and enjoy an active start to your weekend!

Get sharp and ready with pre season training at our cricket and soccer clinics, and enjoy refining those skills you have mastered this past season with our hockey and special edition World Cup rugby clinics.

As Sporting Chance celebrates 21 years and we start a new coaching season we are proud to welcome new apparel sponsor Hi-Tec and associate sponsor Kauai. We also are delighted to continue our relationship with title sponsor Flip File, and associate sponsors Sportsmans Warehouse, BIC, GM and media partners SuperSport Let’s Play.

Thank you to our sponsors for their continued support and we look forward to having the Sporting Chancers join us on the fields at Constantia, Kelvin Grove, WPCC and Kenridge PS next week!

This is a letter written to the Sporting Chance staff from a wonderful person who volunteered to be a part of this past weekend’s Kellogg’s Health of the Nation: 50 hour sports challenge… thanks Lynn 

Dear Sporting Chance and Sponsors

I got home on Sunday the 18.09.2011, round about 16h30, I was cold and wet, it had been raining that day, the wind was blowing, but I was content. It was the final day of the 50 Hour Healthof the Nation.

My story starts like this:

Thursday morning driving in our tedious traffic to work and listening to Cape Talk Radio Station, I caught the end of an interview between Cape Talk and Brad….. about a
50 Hour Health of the Nation, all I heard was, that there would be hundreds of kids….oh WOW I thought, I wonder if they would need my help, probably not, however I thought….Lynn do not procrastinate again, I thought, send an email offer my help and then at least you know in your heart – you were willing. So my friend “Google” helped me and I sent an e-mail to Sporting Chance.

So off I went, after work to meet Tracey, she briefed me on the weekend’s events and so I agreed to work in what ever role she would require me to fulfil.

Up early Saturday morning, so excited, but also nervous, maybe I am not going to fulfil “their” requirements, maybe they are going to say, “thanks for Saturday” but you don’t have to come back Sunday. Oh well I have committed – no turning back now.

Saturday 17.09.2011

On arriving, I could not believe the amount of people involved, I was given a t-shirt, which I wore, for some strange reason, with so much pride, as I still was not sure what was in line for me the weekend, but proud I was !

I have never seen so many kids in one given space at any one given time – They were all seated in rows in their different schools. “We” started with early morning dancing, just to get the kids “on a high” well they were. I was coordinating the body measurements – being their weight, height, waist and hips measurements, in addition to the sit and reach.

There was not one child who did not want to participate, they would line up with such excitement, just to do the next exercise. I had the most awesome group of students, they were all so dedicated to what they were doing, it was really unbelievable – well 18h00 arrived – too soon for me – and that was the end of day 1.

The kids lined up again in their different schools, and the music starting playing, You just had to be there to experience the enthusiasm from the kids, they danced, we danced – Words cannot describe what I saw with my own two eyes – the only way are by the photos that were taken – and then maybe you will understand.

I left on such a high note, and could not wait for Sunday.

Sunday 18.09.2011

Cold…raining and water logged fields with gusty winds….but that never stopped the enthusiasm from either Coaches or children. My station was still outside, but we had some cover. The students carried on showing their love and dedication towards the kids as if it was a hot summer’s day. There was such an aura about Sunday, I am still struggling to explain to myself how to describe the aura, but believe me it was an aura of joy, and that nobody gave up, just because the weather did not play its role, but as I have learnt in life everything happens for a reason and only time will tell.

Unfortunately we could not get to measure all of the kids, but that was a sign for me that the kids that were not measured will come back into my life sometime soon. All the kids lined again in their different schools inside the hall, we all danced and danced – till it was time to part.

On each day each child was given a “goodie” bag and something to eat, as they left to board their various busses.

I had the privilege of meeting the Kellogg’s team, but could not even say “Thank you”, the lump in my throat was too great.

In my heart I refused to say good bye to anyone, the kids, the students, the coaches, or even management for that matter, because I knew somewhere, sometime or someplace our paths will cross again.

With Love and Gratitude for allowing me this privilege of participating

Lynn Sevenster

Special thanks to Dawn Barrett and the Cape Town Nomadik Tents branch for their continued support!

This year, in addition to all the fun and games of this annual sporting extravaganza, the schoolchildren also took part in a serious fact-finding study, a 10-year follow-up to the original ground-breaking Health of the Nation study, which first revealed the magnitude of obesity in South African children. The resulting information and statistics will assist health and education policy makers to gauge where we are, so that they can continue steering SA youth towards healthier lifestyles.   The Kellogg’s Health of the Nation 50-Hour Sports Challenge is supported by the national Department of Health Promotion, Western Cape Department of Health, Education, Cultural Affairs and Sport.

Thanks to our sponsors Kellogg’s in association with Virgin Active, KIA Motors, SuperSport Let’s and Good Hope fm for making the project possible. and to the Sporting Chance team of coaches for all their hard work.

The interactive format of the road show sessions have been well received by the participants and the messaging focussing on physical
activity, nutrition, health awareness and general fitness has been absorbed by the eager children.

The Sporting Chance team together with Kellogg’s dieticians have visited the communities of Ocean View, Elsies River, Gugulethu, Langa, Manenberg, Masiphumelele , Mitchell’s Plain, Grassy Park and will finish off in Macassar this afternoon.

The 2011 Kellogg’s Health of the Nation project in association with SuperSport Let’s Play, Virgin Active and KIA Motors with radio partners Good Hope fm, is a Four Phase programme that highlights the importance of physical activity and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Phase 1: the Health Education road show has ensured the children are well prepared to take part in Phase 2: the Kellogg’s Health of the Nation: 50 hour sports challenge and Phase 3: the Research Testing (Phase 3) this coming weekend at WPCC Sports Centre.

Look forward to seeing you there…

KELLOGG’S HEALTH OF THE NATION: 50 HOUR SPORTS CHALLENGE

14h00, Friday 16^th to 16h00, Sunday 18^th September 2011

WPCC Sports Centre, Rondebosch

The 2011 Kellogg’s Health of the Nation project in association with SuperSport Let’s Play, Virgin Active and KIA Motors with radio partners Good Hope fm, is a Four Phase programme that highlights the importance of physical activity and leading a healthy lifestyle.

The Ocean View community are participating in the Kellogg’s Health of the Nation for the first time, which meant they were all eager to be a part of the action. Phase 1: The Health Education road show takes the format of engaged learning, with the participants being divided into sub groups and spending 15-20 minutes at four activity zones as follows:

1. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: This zone highlights the importance of physical activity through a series of fun exercises & drills including shuttles runs, sit  ups, push ups and hand-eye coordination exercises. Variations of the conventional drills focus on emphasising the enjoyment of physical activity with the participants competing in: Sack Races – increase lower body strength; Ball and spoon races – increase hand eye co-ordination; Wheel barrow races – increase upper body strength; Sprint races – increase in speed off the mark; Shuttle races – increase in endurance

2. NUTRITION: This zone is facilitated by Kellogg’s dieticians and highlights the importance of eating a balanced diet & making healthy food choices. The activity includes a workshop focusing on food groups and the benefits attached.

3. HEALTH EDUCATION: This zone focussed on personal hygiene and the importance of washing hands, brushing teeth, keeping your body clean with emphasis on its relation to preventing TB etc. When? Why? and How? we should we carry out this daily routine.

4. FITNESS SPECIFIC: This zone focuses on specialised activities that advise participants on specific exercises to improve their sporting abilities. Through this participants are introduced to the scientific research testing that will take place at the Kellogg’s Health of the Nation: 50 hour sports challenge.

The session concluded with a group ‘Question and Answer’ session to illustrate the life skills discussed before all participants were part of a vibe dance in preparation for their participation in Phase 2: Kellogg’s Health of the Nation 50 hour sports challenge next week.

Day 2 of the road show saw the team visit Gugulethu where the participants from the schools excitedly gathered at NY49 to be a part of the Kellogg’s Health of the Nation project.

Look forward to sharing the rest of the week’s activities…