Congratulations to David del Castillo of the Lakehill Soccer Association and the Braefoot Community Association for providing a free youth soccer program this spring.
A B.C. Gaming Grant helped to fund the free league, which offers under 8 to under 15 ages the chance to play without any fees, an important consideration as B.C. has the highest youth poverty rate in Canada.
With high childhood obesity rates and Type 2 diabetes on the increase it is important that, along with healthy nutrition, our youth get off the couch, put down their devices and get some healthy exercise to help mitigate the effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
Parents could also help by not driving little Johnny and Jane everywhere and choosing one major active sport for their children rather than a whole range of supervised activities that may overwhelm them and turn kids off sports altogether. Check out the available programs at our Recreation Centres and see what interests their children.
Also, let them run and exercise in free-play and use their imagination, something that the Kid-Sport organization encourages.
Enjoying healthy activities in youth will hopefully continue into adulthood, reducing the strain on our healthcare system and improving quality of life.
Councillor Paul Gerrard.
Chair, Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee