Victoria’s Minister for Education Ben Carroll has announced more than 400 schools will share in $6.7 million of funding under the Active Schools initiative which allocates grants to schools to help get students physically active.
“Physical activity is fundamental to our health and wellbeing – that is why we’re delivering Active Schools to more than 400 schools this year alone,” Carroll said.
“Giving students more opportunities to increase their physical activity ensures they get the best start in life and helps them develop lifelong healthy habits.”
As part of the Active Schools initiative, Melbourne Renegades Women cricket players yesterday taught more than 100 students from Roxburgh College and Nathalia Secondary College a variety of cricket skills at clinics at the Junction Oval in St Kilda, Melbourne, before the students settled in to watch the team’s clash with the Sydney Thunder.
The joint initiative by Cricket Victoria, Melbourne Renegades, and Active Schools encourages children, especially girls, to get active while showcasing and celebrating pathways in community cricket.
The initiative includes a toolkit for school leaders and teachers, advice from expert Physical Activity advisors and funding for schools with around 500 schools participating since Active Schools was launched in 2021.
Schools have previously used their Active Schools funding to upskill PE teachers, purchase sports and fitness equipment, implement programs such as bicycle education, circus and dance, build outdoor learning spaces, make upgrades to playgrounds, install sensory play areas and cover costs associated with sports and physical activities.
The initiative encourages students to get involved in physical activity and develop healthy lifelong habits.
“Getting more young Victorians involved in sports helps them thrive physically and mentally, and the Active Schools programs is making sure that students – in particular young women – get access to these benefits, no matter their background or where they live,” Victoria’s Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said.
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