It was a day of firsts last week for Sport Canterbury’s Top Team Challenge.

With the new season upon us the interactive, team building challenge is once again being delivered in schools with the newest Top Team Coordinator, Dylan Smith.

On Thursday 30 September over 160 tamariki came together on the field at Burnside Primary School to take part in the Top Team Challenge - the first time it has been delivered at the school.

What made this occasion even more special is that Burnside Primary School is part of Sport New Zealand’s Healthy Active Learning initiative, which focuses on providing tamariki with quality physical activity experiences and supporting schools in delivering healthy food and water only policies.

Burnside Primary School were supported with this opportunity because of their determination to see the Healthy Active Learning initiative succeed in their school.

“They are so involved with Healthy Active Learning, and they have so many enthusiastic teachers that are willing to give everything a go,” said Healthy Active Learning Facilitator, Rebecca Stokes.

The Top Team Challenge also relates to one of the main objectives of Healthy Active Learning as it provides an inclusive quality physical activity experience for tamariki.

“Top Team links in with Healthy Active Learning because the initiative is all about quality physical activity experiences - all of these activities are fun, interactive and build teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills which the students take part in together. Participating in this challenge is something they will remember and will want to do again in the future,” said Stokes.

Healthy Active Learning School Lead, Millie Hooker was thrilled to have the trailer at Burnside Primary School for the first time.

“This is our first time having the Top Team Challenge at Burnside Primary School, which is super exciting. It’s a beautiful day which is awesome, really well organised, really clear communication, the kids are having such a fun time, lots of smiles, lots of running around and lots of activity,” said Hooker.

It was also a first for Top team Coordinator, Dylan Smith, who, just a day earlier, delivered his first session on his own - making his afternoon at Burnside Primary School, his second ever delivery.

He was pleased with how the session was progressing and is excited about delivering further challenges as he grows in confidence within his role.

“Today’s session is running really well - I love seeing the kids having fun, I love the music and everyone having a boogie.”

Book the Top Team Challenge for your school, workplace or community group.

Bookings for Term 4 are filling up fast, but there is still availability for Term 1 2022.

View our website to find out more and to book a session – Click here

Article added: Wednesday 06 October 2021