Kathy Carmont, 15, of Mt Wellington, practises for the krumping battle at the Onehunga Community Centre. Photo / Greg Bowker
Kathy Carmont, 15, of Mt Wellington, practises for the krumping battle at the Onehunga Community Centre. Photo / Greg Bowker
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KEY POINTS:
Young couch potatoes beware - a physical activity is coming to a centre near you.
The Auckland City Council has contracted the YMCA to deliver a programme called AkActive at a range of South Central venues during the school holidays. AkActive youth community facilitator Kathryn Doughty said theprogramme was for the community.
"It's about engaging the young people and getting them to do something more positive than hanging around causing trouble."
Krumping, hip-hop and breakin' are on offer at the Onehunga Community Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
"We did pretty good research with the youth in the area because there's no point holding activities they wouldn't come to.
"Dance is fun and non-competitive and they don't know they're being active," Ms Doughty said.
While only a few enthusiastic girls took part in yesterday's session, another half-dozen people had gathered to watch by the end.
She said each activity was carried out twice a week.
AkActive staff member Rewi Norman said it was hard to get young people involved because they wanted to stay home and play video games.
"So it's about making it fun so they want to bring their friends next time."
Participant Kathy Carmont, 15, said the dance class was pretty cool.
"I play guitar because I'm into rock music but sometimes I enjoy hip-hop and it helps you get fit so that's why I enjoy [it]," she said.
More than 20 young people showed up for the morning breakdancing session at the Fickling Centre in Three Kings, Ms Doughty said.
"But we give them choice. If some don't like dancing, we take them outside."
Three-on-three basketball, volleyball and table tennis are on offer at various centres.
This is the second set of holidays AkActive has been in effect.
Each activity also serves to promote places where children can be active, such as parks that have basketball courts or skateboard ramps.
