A Tamworth man is looking to put the skills back into school children, recently moving back to the region with his pet project turned passion, Fun Fitness 4 Littlies.
Former Oxley High student Sam Levick was born into sport and education as the son of a PE and kindergarten teacher, and is continuing to carry that torch after having his eyes opened to a new age problem sweeping the nation.
“As children are getting older they are stopping sport, and aren’t engaged in any physical activity any more so the fundamental skills just aren’t there,” Mr Levick said.
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“We are so focussed on literacy, numeracy and technology that these core skills are just disappearing, so I decided to get in as early as possible and hopefully get those skills happening that will keep them on track to remaining active and staying in sport.”
Fun Fitness 4 Littlies is aimed at kids aged between 2 and 12, and exposes them to six different sports and the basic skills and coordination involved in each over a term.
While working in Newcastle the former NSW hockey player also kept hearing from parents that had signed kids up to a sport that they had soon discovered they didn’t like, so stopped going, which is why he has incorporated a variety of different sports into his program.
The programs run once a week in set age groups, with age appropriate equipment, and while sports skills are the focus, there is an array of other benefits as well.
“Obesity is obviously a big one these days, but it is also about getting kids out of their bubble and interacting with other members of the community, kids from other schools and from different families,” Mr Levick said.
“Hopefully this can also get them on track for a good lifestyle later in life and employment.”
Fun Fitness 4 Kids is also an NDIS and Active Kids registered program, and has already made links with Challenge Community Services and Sensosauras, running programs specifically for children on the spectrum or living with other challenges, disorders or disabilities.
