Helping hand into triathlon for 200 Rotorua school kids

Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon encourages Kiwi youngsters to get active. Photo / Stephen Parker

Two hundred Rotorua school children will now get to participate in a popular kids triathlon thanks to Sport Bay of Plenty and a local trust.

The initiative will allow Rotorua-based students from low decile schools, who may have been unable to participate due to barriers such as cost and access to sporting equipment, to take part in the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon on December 10.

The Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust has provided 200 discounted entries to decile 1 to 3 schools in the Rotorua region.

Sport Bay of Plenty spokeswoman Melissa Gordon said being involved with the TRYathlon was the perfect fit with the organisation's goal to get more school-aged children active more often, particularly with the event being about participation rather than winning.

"These children get a sense of achievement, excitement and huge confidence boost from being involved in such a great event. This is a real chance for them to discover there are events out there for everyone to take part in, no matter what their ability level."

Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust chairman Stewart Edward said the decision to fund discounted entries to low decile schools stemmed from the trust's recognition of the importance of encouraging young people into exercise and outdoor activities.

"Our involvement really underpins the opportunity for young people who wouldn't typically be able to afford to have these same experiences as their peers," he said. "By funding these discounted entries to the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon we are able to inspire children to take part in new activities that interest them."

Sanitarium spokesman Nigel Chenery said the company was delighted to see Sport Bay of Plenty give Rotorua children the chance to take part in the TRYathlon.

"It's fantastic to see thousands of children every year training for and completing this event, no matter where they live, what their fitness level or sporting ability," said Chenery.

"The event is about encouraging Kiwi kids to get active and healthy while training for a specific goal. We know receiving a medal at the end of the event gives all the participants a feeling of pride and accomplishment, and that's what the series is all about."

The TRYathlon series is open to children aged between 7 and 15 and consists of a swim, followed by a cycle and a run.

Participants wanting to register for the 2017-2018 event can visit try.weetbix.co.nz.