Canada's Leading Sport, Wellness and Health Organizations Offer the Province Unprecedented Help to Get Kids ACTIVE AT SCHOOL

FREDERICTON, Dec. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Two weeks after its official launch, the ACTIVE AT SCHOOL initiative congratulates New Brunswick Premier David Alward and the Province of New Brunswick for launching a bold plan to ensure young people in the province get one hour of physical activity before, during or after school every day.

ACTIVE AT SCHOOL is a group of more than 60 private sector and not-for-profit organizations that have come together to help solve the overwhelming problem of inactive youth in Canada. Launched in mid-November, the group offered all of Canada's provincial and territorial governments access to their considerable networks, resources, investments and marketing efforts to ensure the country's kids and youth get one hour of physical activity at school.

Supportive Quotes from Members of ACTIVE AT SCHOOL

"The research is clear - the benefits of physical activity go far beyond health and wellness," said Kelly Murumets, President and CEO of ParticipACTION. "Physical activity and sport provide opportunities for children and youth to learn new skills, make new friends, build self-esteem and challenge themselves. For the past year, ParticipACTION has partnered with the Government of New Brunswick to promote physical activity and wellness within the province. As a member of ACTIVE AT SCHOOL, we congratulate the Province of New Brunswick for its continued leadership and commitment to ensure its children and youth meet the daily physical activity recommendations to experience the benefits."

"Many New Brunswick schools are already taking steps in the right direction to ensure that kids are getting their daily physical education/activity requirements and this is really about taking support for teachers and principals to the next level," said Chris Jones, Executive Director and CEO of Physical & Health Education Canada. "We are looking forward to doing what we can to help ensure all 320 schools in the province have access to partners and resources to make one hour per day a reality. Furthermore, we hope this announcement today in New Brunswick inspires Premiers and Ministers of Education across this country to join this movement."

"It is wonderful to see the Province of New Brunswick commit to such an important undertaking in order to facilitate getting our children and youth more active. We look forward to supporting them on this journey," said Ian Culbert, Executive Director, Canadian Public Health Association. "Increased physical activity addresses a spectrum of health issues, while improving the overall self-esteem and confidence of our youth, which in turn has positive societal outcomes."

"The Canadian Soccer Association is thrilled to see the Province of New Brunswick make this important commitment and would like to congratulate Premier David Alward for actively embracing the ACTIVE AT SCHOOL initiative," said Peter Montopoli, General Secretary of the Canadian Soccer Association. "This is a significant milestone that makes us proud to be part of the group of organizations behind ACTIVE AT SCHOOL. We look forward to providing our support, through our Provincial Member Association Soccer New Brunswick, and see the rest of the country follow in New Brunswick's footsteps."

"Young Canadians who grow up watching their favourite NHL players see the dedication to fitness that is a daily part of the players' lives," said Brian Jennings, Chief Marketing Officer of the National Hockey League. "We applaud the Province of New Brunswick's commitment to ACTIVE AT SCHOOL which will help instill the importance of physical activity to kids, who all have the potential to be future hockey stars."

"We're already working with New Brunswick schools to help children adopt healthier lifestyles," explains Pierre Lavoie, cofounder of the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie. "We're pleased to see ACTIVE AT SCHOOL gain momentum and we applaud the New Brunswick government for taking action to get kids moving."

"Promoting healthy living and nurturing the potential of children and youth goes to the heart of what the YMCA is all about, so it was natural for us to partner with Canadian Tire, and other organizations across Canada, to help solve the problem of youth inactivity," said Barb Ramsay, Interim CEO, YMCA Fredericton. "We give youth opportunities to be active - to reach their full potential - every day through a variety of health, fitness and aquatics programs at YMCA locations in communities across New Brunswick. We commend Premier Alward, and the Province of New Brunswick, on this bold plan to ensure the health of our youth and of our communities."

"Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to ensure that kids reach their full potential.  Unfortunately, our most recent Report Card indicates that only 5 per cent of school-aged children meeting Canada's recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of daily physical activity," said Jennifer Cowie Bonne, CEO, Active Healthy Kids Canada. "The need for focused solutions and collective action has never been greater and that is why we support ACTIVE AT SCHOOL.  Bravo to the Province of New Brunswick for your commitment to support your schools in their efforts to ensure that all kids have the opportunity to move more often!"

About ACTIVE AT SCHOOL

ACTIVE AT SCHOOL is a group of private, public and not-for-profit organizations committed to ensuring that one hour a day of quality physical activity and education is brought back to schools across Canada. With a goal of helping to reverse the trend of inactivity in Canadian kids and youth, the organization is focused on using its varied voices to keep the issue top of mind with federal, provincial and municipal government as well as school boards across Canada.

• Visit activeatschool.ca or actifsalecole.ca
• Follow the conversation on Twitter, #activeatschool

SOURCE ACTIVE AT SCHOOL

Image with caption: "Today in Fredericton, New Brunwick Premier David Alward announced the Premier's Challenge, a program designed to get kids ACTIVE AT SCHOOL. He was joined by Stephen Wetmore (CEO, Canadian Tire Corporation), Kelly Murumets (President & CEO, ParticipACTION), the Hon. Marie-Claude Blais (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development), the Hon. Dorothy Shephard (Minister of Healthy and Inclusive Communities), Olympic Gold Medalist Rosie MacLennan and local Fredericton students. (CNW Group/ACTIVE AT SCHOOL)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131203_C7077_PHOTO_EN_34272.jpg

Image with caption: "Olympic Gold Medalist Rosie MacLennan plays with local Fredericton students at the launch of the Premier's Challenge, a program designed to get kids ACTIVE AT SCHOOL. (CNW Group/ACTIVE AT SCHOOL)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131203_C7077_PHOTO_EN_34271.jpg