From the editor: 10 November 2022

Get active

Game On Canterbury is a new fixture aimed at encouraging more Cantabrians into sport and active recreation activities, starting in February next year.
The inaugural free event will be held at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on Sunday 19 February 2023, with a focus on opportunities to try new things and discover what’s on offer in Canterbury. Te Pae Christchurch has partnered with Serious Fun Limited to host the event, with principal sponsor Sport Canterbury.

More than 40 community and recreation groups have already expressed interest in participating, including football, netball, rugby, badminton, cricket, rugby league, table tennis, handball, baseball, triathlon and frisbee organisations. More will follow.

This is an encouraging start to helping local couch potatoes become more active. Fitness is an essential aspect of a healthy lifestyle.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that New Zealand has an unacceptable level of physical inactivity.

Its report on global physical inactivity found that 95 percent of Kiwi girls aged 11 to 17 are physically inactive compared to 85 percent of boys the same age.

For those 18 and over, 45 percent of women are inactive and 39 percent of men don’t exercise enough.

Among Kiwis 70 and over, 62 percent of women and 55 percent of do not exercise enough.

February’s initiative would be a good time to start changing that. Head along and check out the options.