Media Advisory

Girls Soar Physical Activity Week - A Week Especially for Girls

(Wednesday, March 14/07)-- The Halifax Skatepark Coalition will help launch this year’s Girls Soar Physical Activity Week (GSPAW), with a sneak preview event this Friday at the Fire House Youth Centre, in Bedford.

Now in its second year, Girls Soar Physical Activity Week is a celebration to increase awareness about the prevalence of physical inactivity among females; educate leaders about ways to increase female participation; and to encourage girls to make personal choices for active living.

The activity week is led by a partnership of HRM, Halifax Regional School Board, the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection and the Capital District health Authority. The program, to be held March 24-31, showcases various activities, facilities and resources available to young women in HRM.

Councillor Sheila Fougere, as well as other female Regional Councillors, are attending the kick-off to demonstrate their support for young women being physically active. In addition to remarks by Councillor Fougere, Dr. Laurene Rehman, Associate Professor, School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University, will provide some insight into the alarming state of female activity levels and some solutions to the problem.

Participation by outside organizations has more than tripled this year, with more than 26 activities planned throughout HRM. (A list of events can be found at www.activehalifax.ca.) Small businesses, municipal recreation centres and not-for-profit organizations for youth and recreation are participating in their own creative ways, and more than10 schools are offering a range of activities for their students.

The kick-off event and program preview will be held:

When:   Friday, March 16, 2007

Time:     10:30 a.m.

Where:   The Fire House Youth Centre, 1247 Bedford Highway in Bedford.

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Gabrielle Riley
HRM Active Living Coordinator
490.5447
Email: rileyg@halifax.ca