New Sport Southland team member Melissa Cummings has a goal – to get  tamariki in the Gore and Districts area more active. 

It’s a heady goal, but one that goes hand in hand with the work she will be doing as School Facilitator with the regional sports trust’s Made to Move team. 

Made to Move is an initiative aimed at supporting schools and communities to strengthen the wellbeing of tamariki through physical activity, and aligns with Sport Southland’s vision of everyone active, every day. As school facilitator, Melissa will work with schools to support them in the delivery of the Health and PE Curriculum and ensure the value of physical activity is recognised, as well as ensuring teachers feel confident in delivering this curriculum. 

Born and bred in the area, Melissa lives on a dairy farm near Riversdale with her husband and three-year-old daughter. 

A primary school teacher by training, she is excited to be involved with the Made to Move team and is looking forward to working with schools throughout the district. 

Being active and understanding the importance of physical activity were passions instilled in Melissa from a young age. 

A competitive figure skater growing up, she has taken part in a wide range of skating competitions, including the New Zealand Winter Games, and has always had an interest in physical education. 

In her spare time she enjoys heading to Central Otago boating and hanging out with her family, and she is still involved with ice skating, holding the role of judge and Officials Director with the New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Association Inc. 

Article added: Thursday 22 April 2021