Boys and Girls clubs kickoff big healthy living initiative

The nationwide aim: To get kids off the couch

Boys and Girls clubs in Hamilton are kicking off Triple Play, a new initiative that’s part of a national campaign to get kids off the couch and into healthier lifestyle habits.

The Kiwanis, Sanford and McQuesten Boys and Girls clubs are among clubs in 21 cities across Canada where the Triple Play initiative will be funded until December.

The health and wellness program is aimed at children aged six to 18.

Nearly 310 kids in Hamilton aged six to 18, and nearly 5,000 youth nationally, are expected to participate in the program during the summer and fall.

“The Triple Play program is going to look at individual communities to find out what they need,” said Duane Dahl, assistant executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton.

Each club sent grant applications to the national office for things they’d like to try as part of the Triple Play program. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada received a $150,000 grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation to help fund the national initiative.

“The recognition is there for the funding to provide programming that is led by the young people themselves who identified what is important to them,” Dahl said. “Some have mentioned hiking or canoeing, some of them have talked about trying paddle boarding.”

But this list could also include good grocery shopping, cooking classes, better eating habits, leadership training and self-esteem building.

“These are basically teaching us leadership training so we can (lead) later on,” said Matyas Matti, 14, who’s been a member for three years. “And we can become an example for the community.”

Paul Miller, MPP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, took a break from a pick-up soccer game with kids from day camp to say how programs to get youngsters active are necessary.

“These programs get kids away from the computers and get them out exercising with other kids and teams,” Miller said.

“All this has to have a positive impact on our health system, especially tackling things like obesity. If they start young, chances are they’ll be healthier and mentally healthier later.”

The program is a spin-off of the successful American program.

“We’re bringing the program to Canada,” said Rich Leslie, vice-president of national sales at Coca-Cola Canada.

“It hits the three pillars of the mind, body and soul of our youth, that’s what’s really attracted us to build on the national U.S. program here.”