Southland District Council has joined forces with the team at Sport Southland to create active summer fun for youngsters throughout the district.

Council’s annual holiday programme will run in January at six locations – Winton, Wyndham, Otautau, Tokanui, Stewart Island and Te Anau.

The Sport Southland crew will be engaging with a variety of regional sports organisations, local clubs, arts and crafts groups and community groups to develop a comprehensive programme which caters for a variety of interests.

Community liaison officer Kathryn Cowie said it was important Council continued to provide ways for Southland youngsters to be active.

“Sport Southland has a proven track record in supporting the creation of quality opportunities for children to be active and we’re thrilled to have an opportunity to partner with them,” she said.

“We see the revamped structure of our holiday programme as a fantastic chance for children to create valuable connections which can lead to ongoing opportunities beyond the event.

“The aim is to provide a fun environment which encourages them to be engaged in activities in their own communities.”

Each programme will be structured to ensure participants can sample a range of activities with children split into two age groups – 5-8 years and 9-12 years.

Sport Southland chief executive Brendon McDermott said the organisation was excited to be working alongside Council.

“As an organisation Sport Southland is looking to work with communities to create sustainable opportunities to be active. We will partner with local providers across Southland to introduce children to new opportunities that they can continue to access in the future,” he said.

Confirmed dates for the programme, which runs from 10am to 3pm each day, are:

• Tokanui           Friday 17^th January (40 spots available)
• Winton             Monday 20^th January (60 spots available) Buses from Nightcaps
• Te Anau           Wednesday 22^nd January (80 spots available) Buses from Lumsden via Mossburn
• Wyndham        Friday 24^th January (60 spots available) Buses from Riversdale and Woodlands via Edendale
• Otautau           Monday 27^th January (60 spots available) Buses from Riverton and Tuatapere
• Stewart Island Wednesday 29^th January (25 spots available)

The programme costs $6 per participant with registration is available online at www.sdcholidayprogramme.co.nz.

Article added: Wednesday 27 November 2019