Help to get you active

A belated Happy New Year to everyone in my first column for 2012. If any of you have made a new year resolution to be more active this year, Sport Waikato can help you with information about clubs, activity groups and ways to be more active.

Give our Active and Well team a call on 0800 ACTIVE to get started and check out our website www.sportwaikato.org.nz for club and activity option information.

February is packed full of fun, active events to be involved with.

This is an annual national campaign to get more Kiwis on bikes, for exercise, transport and recreation. A series of events have been organised throughout Matamata Piako to encourage you to get back on the seat or to start cycling.

15,

– 6pm starting at Wednesday, February Founders Park.

Join Matamata Peddlers cycling club for a 21km, flat, family club-night ride.

A great opportunity to start or restart cycling. Don’t worry if you haven’t done that distance before there will be plenty of support and encouragement from club members to complete the ride.

Spot prizes and a heart-healthy barbecue await you at the finish.

Gold coin donation for Heart Week appreciated. No registration required.

at 1pm on Sunday, February 12, BMX Park, Burwood Rd.

Learn how to navigate your way around the exciting new Matamata track, pick up some race tips and enjoy some racing fun. Spot prizes. Helmets are compulsory. No registration required.

Monday, February 20, 2012, 6pm to 8.30pm, Matamata Piako District Council Offices, corner Tui and Tainui streets.

Sports clubs and community groups look- ing for funding. Want to make successful applications? Come to our friendly ‘‘hands on’’ workshop. Basic funding covers: How to fill out a successful application form, budgeting for your project, selling your project to the funder, tips on getting prepared, how decisions are made, other streams of funding.

Spaces are limited. Register before Wednesday, February 15 with Ruth Stanley.

Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke and blood vessel disease) is the leading cause of death in New Zealand accounting for 40 per cent of deaths annually – an astounding 16 deaths each day.

You can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by Not smoking. Eating a healthy heart diet. Being active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.

Check out www.heartfoundation.org.nz to predict your heart age and risk of having a heart attack in the next five years.