ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – According to the Childhood Obesity Foundation and Statistics Canada, over 26% of children and youth (1.6 million children aged 2-17) are considered overweight or obese. Obesity rates in children have almost tripled in the last 25 years. For children aged 6 to 11 and adolescents aged 12 to 17, the likelihood of being overweight or obese tends to rise as time spent watching TV, playing video games or using a computer increases.
The Toronto Argonauts Football Club and Tim Hortons continue their commitment to help get kids active by bringing back the Argo Recess program for a fourth year. Argos players, cheerleaders, Jason the Argos Mascot, and Argonauts staff show primary school students that exercise is not only good for their health but fun as well, by engaging youth in football, sports and physical activity through a unique recess experience. During an extended 30 minute recess, Argos players will interact with the students, getting them involved in a circuit of drills and inflatable skill zones, providing students the opportunity to achieve their daily physical activity requirement.
Thousands of GTA students will participate in an Argo Recess this year with an interactive portion called Argocise that teaches students exercises that can be used in their daily lives including yoga, calisthenics, football drills and pre-game warm ups. Students and teachers can then download the instructions, as well as healthy eating tips, off of the Argos website at argonauts.ca for future use in the schools.
Commented David Hawker-Budlovsky, Principal, Cassandra Public School, “Argo Recess was such an exciting and engaging time at Cassandra. The whole school came out to get active with the Argos players and staff. Even the kindergarten students worked with the cheerleaders and presented to the rest of the school. For 30 minutes, 300 students were active, engaged and having fun! A year later, the staff and students are still talking about the recess.”
Here is a list of confirmed Argo Recess visits for 2011:
DATE: Wednesday, May 18
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
SCHOOL: St. Gabriel Catholic School
ADDRESS: 396 Spring Garden Ave. (Bayview & 401), North York
DATE: Wednesday, May 18
TIME: 1:15 p.m.
SCHOOL: Maple Leaf Public School
ADDRESS: 301 Culford Rd. N. (Keele & 401), North York
DATE: Thursday, May 19
TIME: 9:15 a.m.
SCHOOL: Elmbank Jr. Middle Academy
ADDRESS: 10 Pittsboro Dr. (Martingrove & Albion), Etobicoke
DATE: Thursday, May 19
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
SCHOOL: North Kipling Jr. Middle School
ADDRESS: 2 Rowntree Road (Kipling & Albion), Etobicoke
DATE: Tuesday, May 24
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
SCHOOL: St. Martin de Porres Catholic School
ADDRESS: 4179 Lawrence Ave. E. (Lawrence & Morningside), Scarborough
DATE: Tuesday, May 24
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
SCHOOL: St. Barbara Catholic School
ADDRESS: 3216 Lawrence Ave. E. (Lawrence & Markham), Scarborough
DATE: Wednesday, May 25
TIME: 9:45 a.m.
SCHOOL: St. Boniface Catholic School
ADDRESS: 20 Markanna Drive (Markham & Eglinton), Scarborough
DATE: Wednesday, May 25
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
SCHOOL: St. Agnes Catholic School
ADDRESS: 280 Otonabee Ave. (Bayview & Steeles), North York