Island Kids

Fun times ahead for island kids

Youngsters on the Southern Moreton Bay islands will soon be able to try out a host of fun sports and activities as part of the Redland City Council’s Healthy and Active Program.

The free “Active Pop Up” sessions will be open to youngsters aged 5-17 years and delivered through the newly established Bay Islands Multi-Sport and Recreation Association Inc (BIMSARA).

BIMSARA treasurer Glynis Enright said the eight-week multi-sports program starting on 2 May would be based on major sports of interest to local youngsters.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for island kids to try out sports such as cricket, rugby league, soccer and tennis, as well as self-defence and other fun activities ,’’ Glynis says.

“It is so important that island youngsters do not miss out on having a go at sport and the benefits that come with being healthy and active.

“It would be great to have as many kids as possible come down to the Russell Island Sport and Recreation Park and give the sports a try … they may find a sport they like which will become a life-long passion. You don’t need to bring anything and it’s also free.

“Who knows … we may have some future rugby league or tennis stars just waiting for the chance to shine!”

The Active Pop Up program will run from 2 May to 20 June on Wednesday afternoons at the Russell Island Sport and Recreation Park, with cricket, rugby league, soccer and tennis sessions in two-week blocks from 3.30-4.30pm and a children’s self-defence program running over eight weeks from 4.30-5.30pm.

The program is funded through the Embracing 2018 Commonwealth Games Legacy ‘Game On’ Program and follows approaches to Redland City Council last year by Southern Moreton Bay Island sport and recreation groups.

The groups wanted to establish a multi-sport and recreation organisation that could provide leadership, support and promote sport and recreation services, programs and events for the benefit of the entire SMBI community.

“Many of the sport and recreation groups on the islands are small and have limited capacity, volunteers and funding, so it made sense to get together to form a sport and recreation association better able to source the support and funding we need on the islands,’’ Glynis said.

For more information about Redland City Council’s Healthy and Active program, go to www.redland.qld.gov.au

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