As Marlborough embraces a new year, the province’s five Community Hubs have followed suit.

Situated in the Redwoodtown, Picton, Havelock, Riversdale and Awatere areas, the hubs are designed to offer opportunities for physical activity at an affordable price.

After the success of the hubs in 2018, facilitators Sport Tasman with support from Churchill Private Hospital, Marlborough District Council and Marlborough Primary Health Organisation have decided to extend the range of activities offered this time around.

Community sport advisor Rory Crawford said programmes at all five hubs were up and running again for 2019.

“We have added an extra three programmes to the set-up this year so it will be even bigger than last year, which was our record year so far [in terms of participation]”.

“We are just looking to provide low-cost, effective physical activity for communities in the heart of their community, so people don’t even need to travel to take part … ease of access and affordability are the keys for us.”

Crawford said some of the programmes were ACC falls prevention-approved, designed to keep participants safe. The activities were directed at all age groups – from Picton and Havelock’s Tumble Tots programme for pre-schoolers, to Boot Camp and Youth Groups for teens, through to Sit And Be Fit for the older brigade.

Programmes run all year and participants can become involved at any stage.

“Feel free to just turn up and get involved,” urged Crawford.

He suggested people get onto the Sport Tasman website www.sporttasman.org.nz/marlbcommunityhubs or call him on 03-5778855. His e-mail is rory.c@sporttasman.org.nz and flyers detailing the range of activities can be picked up from outside the Sport Tasman office in Stadium 2000.

The five hubs provide a wide range of tailor-made activities.

Redwoodtown offer Talk/Tech/Teach, where participants need to bring their own device, Keeping U Moving and an Older Person Seminar. Their co-ordinator is Wendy Reynolds 021 223 0160.

Picton have four options – Tumble Tots, Tennis, Youth Bootcamps and an Indoor Walking Circuit Class. Vanessa Evans, 03 5735400, is the Picton Hub co-ordinator.

The Riversdale Hub hosts Sit and Be Fit on Mondays and Thursdays, with co-ordinator Chloe Rarity, 035780469.

The Awatere Hub have Actively Ageing, Boot Camp, Taekwondo, Yoga and Youth Group (under 18). Lil Broadhurst, 03 5757975, is the co-ordinator.     

Havelock host Tai Chi on Saturdays and Tumble Tots on Mondays. Susan Foster is the co-ordinator, her email is havelockv2020@gmail.com.   

Crawford has been working closely with the Havelock Hub of late, undertaking research designed to gauge the wishes of youth in that region.

“We are looking to bring in a youth-centred programme so we ran a Youth Lab, canvassing the opinions of 35 young folk in the region. We asked them for honest feedback on what type of programmes they would like to see, plus when and where they would like it to run.”

“It was great to hear from the rural community about what they were looking for. We will look to take their thoughts on board to make sure the programmes are designed by them, for them.

“It’s not us telling them what they want, it is about them telling us and us delivering,” he added. 

Written by Sport Tasman, Pete Jones.

Article added: Monday 25 February 2019