The North Queensland Sports Foundation’s Move It NQ project, through support from the Northern Queensland PHN, has provided funding and support to the Charters Towers Regional Council to facilitate an after-school youth physical activity program. Running Tuesdays and Thursdays after school at Defiance Mill Park, Move It NQ Charters Towers has been well received by children and parents.
Aimed at supporting healthy and active lifestyles, the program provides a free and safe environment for children and youth to participate in sport and recreation activities. Charters Towers Regional Council has partnered with sport and recreation organisations to allow children to enjoy a variety of activities including cricket, AFL, soccer, basketball, tennis, hockey, and tee-ball.
Charters Towers Deputy Mayor Sonia Bennetto has welcomed the program, explaining the many benefits it has brought to the community
“Providing an avenue to build relationships with our disengaged youth so they can see the benefits of sport and outdoor recreation has been a wonderful stepping stone for our community. Council has been very supportive, having identified the need for youth to have opportunities to keep active.”
Move It NQ Program Coordinator, Judah Morris attended a session of the after-school program and applauded the efforts of the Charters Towers Regional Council on their success in a short time, “Working closely with local health and sporting organisations in a central location is providing a great avenue for kids to go directly from school and have fun while keeping active. Having parents meet up go for a walk while children are in the program is helping keep the whole family active.”
With the impacts of COVID-19 putting a large strain on our regional sport and recreation organisations, building strategies and pathways to keep kids active has never been more important. Charters Towers Councillor Kate Hastie has noted that “Getting disengaged kids learning new sports is fantastic and we can use that with our clubs and organisations in regional areas.” To find out how you can participate in the Charters Towers Youth
After School Programme or to find a Move It NQ program near you, view our programs calendar.
