Gold Coast MP, Karen Andrews has welcomed a $1.8 million Move It Aus Better Ageing investment in parkrun Australia.
parkrun Australia is among 27 organisations to share in the $22.9 million Liberal National Government’s Better Ageing Grants over the next two years.
Sport Australia will administer the initiative to encourage older Australians to live active lives.
Community parkrun events are held across the Gold Coast which promotes an active lifestyle with an emphasis on fun and social connections as well as fitness.
“This Liberal National Government investment for parkrun Australia’s Generations Project is about connecting older Australians with their weekly local parkrun community event where they can run, walk, volunteer and socialise with people of all ages,” Minister Andrews said.
“More than half a million people are registered parkrunners and I encourage everybody, regardless of age or ability, to get along to one of the parkrun events across the Gold Coast.
Minister for Sport Senator Bridget McKenzie announced the major investment, and entered her first parkrun event, when she joined hundreds of parkrun enthusiasts while visiting northern Tasmania on Saturday, February 2.
Minister McKenzie said Australians were living longer and the Move It Aus Better Ageing program was an important step in helping older Australians to get the most out of their senior years.
“As outlined in the Government’s National Sport Plan – Sport 2030 – no matter what your age and no matter what your stage, we’re encouraging all Australians to embrace the philosophy of ‘Movement for Life’,” Minister McKenzie said.
“On current trends, the number of Australians aged 65-plus is expected to double in the next 40 years.
“This shift presents a challenge in broader health terms but provides a chance for sport and physical activity to make a positive difference to the lives of older Australians.”
parkrun Australia chief executive Tim Oberg said the $1,838,000 investment would help parkrun engage directly with even more older Australians, their families and the people closest to them,” Mr Oberg said.
“Our aim is to empower people for whom physical activity through walking, running and volunteering is not the norm to become involved with parkrun in a way that is enjoyable, sociable and leads to regular participation,” Mr Oberg said.
Currently only 25 per cent of Australians over 65 meet the Department of Health physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes activity per day.
Further Information on Move It Aus Better Ageing Grant Program: https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/better_ageing
Map of parkrun locations: http://www.parkrun.com.au/events/events/
Further information on parkrun Australia: http://www.parkrun.com.au/
The 27 successful Better Ageing Program grant applicants:
- Arthritis Foundation of Australia Inc.
- Australian Multicultural Community Services Inc.
- Australian Taekwondo
- Basketball Australia
- Bowls Australia Limited
- Canberra Ultimate
- City of Albany
- City of Parramatta Council
- Corporation of the City of Marion
- Corporation of The City of Unley
- COTA Australia
- Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
- Football Federation Australia
- Golf Australia Limited
- Gymnastics Australia
- Loddon Mallee Group of Councils
- Musculoskeletal Australia
- National Heart Foundation of Australia
- Netball Queensland Limited
- parkrun Australia
- Perth Glory Foundation
- Reclink Australia
- Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
- Sport Inclusion Australia
- Surf Life Saving Australia
- Water Polo Australia
- Wyndham City Council