FRANCAIS

October 04, 2006

Motivators in motion, a new initiative that recognizes Manitobans who promote regular physical activity within their communities, was announced today by Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross and Culture, Heritage and Tourism Eric Robinson, minister responsible for sport.

The initiative was unveiled at the Manitoba Legislative Building during the first anniversary celebration of in motion, a provincial strategy that supports increased physical activity by Manitobans. In the first year, 350 schools have registered as Healthy Schools in motion and 50 communities have registered as Communities in motion.

“The Motivators in motion program is expanding on the great progress we have made in the first year,” said Irvin-Ross. “We need to celebrate the role models who build physical activity into their everyday lives, so we want to hear from Manitobans about the people they know who inspire them to be more active and get in motion.”

Motivators in motion can be children, youth, adults, seniors or families. A motivator may be one person, a group or organization. Motivators in motion will be:

• featured on the in motion website and in other publications,

• invited to in motion events as participants, and

• recognized with in motion gift items.

“Implementing Manitoba in motion was one of the most important recommendations from the all-party Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force,” said Irvin-Ross. “This innovative program is reaching out to all Manitobans and challenging them to make physical activity an important part of their daily lives.”

Irvin-Ross also noted that more than $54,000 in new grants will support 23 projects helping communities promote physical activity through Manitoba in motion.

“The in motion program is helping Manitobans recognize how active living improves personal health,” said Robinson. “Our vision is to increase physical activity levels, perhaps through sport participation, for health and enjoyment across the province.”

Since October 2005, the province has invested a total of $280,000 in 112 grants to Communities in motion for projects that help increase physical activity. Funds must be used for new or expanded activities and not for existing programs and services. Examples of these projects include:

• the Winnipeg Trails Association and Prairie Pathfinders, which developed a Passport to Trails Adventures that promotes using local trails for family hiking and other physical activity;

• the Brokenhead Outreach for Seniors (Beausejour/Brokenhead) which are developing a Seniors in motion physical activity program to increase physical activity, promote wellness and address isolation and depression in older adults; and

• the youth of Rolling River First Nation who are planning, organizing and leading a physical activity and recreation program.

Irvin-Ross said organizations, families, schools, workplaces and individuals of all ages all across the province are planning to get up, get out and get in motion for 30 minutes to celebrate the anniversary on Oct. 5.

To get in motion, call 945-3648 in Winnipeg, toll-free at 1-866-788-3648 in Manitoba or visit http://www.manitobainmotion.ca for resources and tools to help get started.

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To view a full list of Manitoba in motion grants, visit http://www.manitobainmotion.ca.

Manitoba Communities in motion include:

Arborg, Ashern, Austin, Berens Rivers, Brandon, Brokenhead River, Churchill, Cross Lake, Deloraine, Duck Bay, Eriksdale, Fisher Branch, Flin Flon and area, Gillam, Gladstone, Grandview, Grand Marais/East Beaches, Inwood, Keesee, Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation, Koowenin First Nation, Lac du Bonnet, Langruth, Letellier, Little Saskatchewan, Lorne Recreation District, Lundar, Macgregor, Marcel Colomb First Nation, Midwest Recreation District, Moosehorn, Neepawa, Pinaymootang First Nation, Pilot Mound, Pinawa, Plumas, Red Deer Lake, Rorketon, Rossburn, Rural Municipality of MacDonald, St. Pierre, Steinbach, Seven Oaks Healthy Living Initiative, Tootinaowaziibeeng First Nation, Thompson, The Pas, Westbourne, West St. Paul, Waywayseecappo, Winkler and Winnipeg.