Calling all work teams to take on the Cooney Lees Morgan Lunchbreak Battle challenge

Bryce Morrison, Ruth Underwood and Sandy Scarrow from Fruition Horticulture at the 2017 Cooney Lees Morgan Lunchbreak Battle. Photo/Supplied.

Tauranga workers are being urged to sit less and move more as the Cooney Lees Morgan Lunchbreak Battle returns to Tauranga city next month.

Hosted by Sport Bay of Plenty, the annual free event encourages workplace teams to take on a series of physical and mental challenges over three 50-minute lunch breaks.

Local businesses and organisations can enter teams of three into the challenge which runs over three consecutive Thursday lunchtimes.

The Cooney Lees Morgan Lunchbreak Battle is at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre in 11th Ave on May 2, 9 and 16.

Sport Bay of Plenty recreation adviser Philip Seed said teams go head-to-head in games designed to challenge brains and brawn, with a heady dose of laughter.

Seed said participants do not need to be sporty to enter because the focus is on fun, team building and meeting new people.

"But be prepared to work up a sweat as teams will be constantly moving over the whole 50 minutes," he said.

"Physical activity during the day can improve your mood, boost productivity and enhance your focus.

"Despite the benefits, many workers still spend eight hours a day seated – we drive to work, we sit at a desk, we drive home," Seed said.

This is a free, fun and fast way to challenge some of those habits.

"Plus it's a great way to spend your lunch break, chat to your co-workers and meet new people from other local organisations," Seed said.

The event has been extremely popular in the past two years, with 40 teams from Tauranga and Mount Maunganui taking on the challenge each year.

Registrations, which close on April 30, are already half full, so register on the Sport Bay of Plenty's website to avoid missing out.