The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Ruth Betts School principal and physical education proponent John Belfry welcomed this week's announcement that the province will form a task force to look at ways of getting kids to be more active. Premier Gary Doer provided limited details on the task force, which he said will be established in the near future and include representation from the three provincial parties. Belfry said inactivity in children has long been a problem but has been increasing in recent years due in part to the popularity of immobile activities such as computer and video games. A recipient of a Builder Award from the Manitoba Physical Education Teachers Association, Belfry also blames the conveniences of modern life such as fast food. See 'Activity' P.# Con't from P.# "If you decrease their sitting time and increase the activity levels, you're going to have healthier kids in the future," he said. Any task force looking at the problem should definitely start with the schools, in Belfry's view. "We can reach every student that comes to public and private schools, so at least start there," he said. "After 12 years of daily physical activity, it becomes a habit, and it has to be enjoyable. You have to have activities that students like to do." Belfry spoke highly of the options local students have to keep active. He believes the Flin Flon School Division is in the top 10 or 15 per cent of schools in Canada in terms of physical education quality and options. The principal also praised the various sports leagues, such as soccer, that operate thanks to volunteers. "There are lots of options out there, you've just got to get your kids out to them," he said. In making the task force announcement, Premier Doer said he wants to ensure public input is a large part of the group's work. "I know there's a lot of kids that are not active. What can we do about it?" he told reporters.
