Penrith Whitewater Stadium Free
The weather could not have been better, it was absolutely perfect and this complimented a fantastic free day of activities.
Between 10.00am and 3.00pm Penrith Whitewater Stadium serviced 197 people trying kayaking on the lake, most were children and teens aged between 10 and 18 years.
There was an average of nearly 40 participants per hour, and this was supervised by six Penrith Whitewater Stadium instructors
There was a great atmosphere and everyone left happy
Congratulations Whitewater Stadium
On arrival the riders registered and were allocated into one of four groups according to their ages.
The day commenced with 10 minutes of warm up exercises and stretches.
There were four different activities: start gate, straight rhythm section, a game of knock offs and slow races - these are skill building exercises of balancing and braking. The 4th activity was skill based by maneuvering around witches hats and riding along a plank of wood.
Riders spent 20 minutes at each activity and then rotated in their group to the next activity.
There was an adult, a senior rider and one girl rider at each activity and a total of 25 Penrith Panthers BMX Riders assisting.
Head coach Brett Scruse who is a former world champion in his age group and his current Australian champion in his age group was assisted by Ian Docherty Penrith Panthers BMX Pro rider.
The Penrith riders also provided a demonstration race. They completed a warm up lap and then split themselves into groups including a girls group to show what a real race looks like and how the skills develop.
The day was concluded by letting all the riders have a go at a full lap.
During the day the canteen was open and a bbq was in full operation. A raffle was run which included 3 prizes of things related to bikes.
All Riders received a show bag which consisted of a drink bottle and Frisbee from Council. Riders also received a bag from PPBMX which was made up of a participation certificate (provided by Council), a hat or DVD, PPBMX sticker, PPBMX fridge magnet, 3 stickers, a balloon, an A to Z of BMX, club membership form, BMX license form, PPBMX flyer, an edition of XBR paper which is a BMX paper.
Massive congratulations to the Penrith Panthers BMX Club for an extremely well run event
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Cranebrook Skate Park Launch & Official Opening
The next generation of action sports stars have been given a boost by the launch of the new Skate Park.
More than 300 people turned out for the opening which included demonstrations from professional riders from Skater HQ.
The Skate Park was officially opened by Deputy Mayor Ross Fowler, Member for Lindsay, David Bradbury MP, Karen Paluzzano MP state member for Penrith, and Skater HQ pro riders Cody Donavon and Rory Coe
(Council does not encourage participation on Skate parks without the use of helmets)
Penrith Council’s recreation manager Andrew Robinson said he hoped the $400,000 facility would encourage youngsters to take up activities such as skateboarding, incline skating and scooter riding. “It’s an outlet for young people who don’t want to take part in organized sport,”
The council plans to develop further programs and hold competitions at the centre, which may lead to more professional riders from western Sydney.
In regards to the Skate Park design the local community had been involved in the consultation with Council from the onset. The young people were delighted to see many of their suggestions for the skate park’s design incorporated into the final product.
The young people were really excited Council had included elements of things they had asked for like ramps, steps, half pipe, rails and ledges.
The ethos behind the consultation process is that it would provide the community with ownership and identity, so they would be more inclined to look after the facility.
The young people even came up with the ideas for the open day.
The format of the day consisted of demonstrations by Western Sydney pro scooter riders Rory Coe and Cody Donovan as well as pro skateboarders and inline skaters from the team.
ROLL WITH THE GUYS in the park, finishing with a FREE BEST TRICK COMP for
the different age groups,
A big Kahuna Surf Machine and Gladiator Dual were also provided and Fusion 87.8FM broadcasted LIVE knocking out some dance beats.
St Johns Ambulance were present due to the nature of the activities but there was no injuries, except for a few individuals who needed to be hydrated due to weather being 35 degrees plus.
A Free Sausage sizzle was provided for everyone at the event and there were PRIZES and GIVEAWAYS for all participants.
Check out the links for more photos:
http://www.penrithstar.com.au/slideshowplayer.aspx?id=9305
http://penrith-press.whereilive.com.au/news/story/next-generation-is-ready-to-roll/
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A free sausage sizzle lunch was held in between the morning and afternoon groups and each child who participated on the day received an ‘Active Penrith’ bag full of giveaways and a certificate.
Congratulations to Nepean Tennis District Association and everyone involved in the organisation of the day. The day was a great showcase for Nepean Tennis and had the highest participation numbers out of all the Active Penrith Come & Try days.
Matt Starr, Tennis NSW Community Tennis Officers was present on the day. He said “Congratulations to Nepean District Tennis Association and everyone involved in the organisation and running of the Active Penrith Come and Try day. It was a great showcase for Nepean tennis and you guys should be proud! Great to see so many kids experiencing tennis for the first time too"
13th & 14th October
Free St Clair Leisure Centre Open Days
St. Clair Leisure Centre provided a SPORTS FEST through a wide range of 'come and try' sessions and coaching clinics.
All sessions were run for at least 90 minutes and included demonstrations, drills, skills development, fun games and more.
The participation figures were great with a total of 71 young people involved throughout the two day sports fest.
The sessions were delivered by local clubs associations and coaches.
Sydney Swift netballer Amy Wild (youngest ever player) opened the event and joined in with the first session a netball clinic delivered be Nepean District Netball Association.
Amy Wild (Sydney Swift netballer) signing autographs for all the young people
David Burns (Council Recreation Operations Officer) could not help himself and got an autograph by Amy Wild Sessions over the two days included:
Soccer - Gymnastics - Basketball - Badminton - Mini tennis - Tennis Table Tennis- Dance -Gymnastics - Athletics - Volleyball - Fun Games - Free barbecue - Free Raffle - Music and DJ entertainment- Jumping castle - Clowns Magic Show - Face Painting - Tattoos - Hair Glitter -Balloon Sculpture - Free healthy Eating - Cooking Demonstrations - Taste Testing
All participants were provided with an Active Penrith bag and goodies
Panthers on the Prowl in partnership with Penrith City Council piloted a Healthy Active Lifestyle Day at CUA stadium. There were 33 local young people in attendance between 10 -14years. The course however could have been filled 5 times, but places were given on a first come first served basis.
Participates were split up into 3 groups and rotated between different activities over the course of the day.
The 3 group activities for the day included:
1) Fitness and games in the player’s gym and on the training oval. – The participants were put through their paces undergoing circuit training, boxing and rowing in the player’s gym before hitting the training oval for some games including jail break.
3) An information technology session – The participants boarded the Panthers on the Prowl mobile classroom (Bytes Bus) which contains laptop computers with wireless internet connection and a large screen television. The activities on the bus laptops are designed to motivate and encourage students to engage in healthy lifestyle choices.
A great day was had by all young people who no doubt slept well that night after the tiring gym sessions with Rex Wright (Health Active Lifestyle Manager). The day concluded with a small presentation. Three participants were selected as being outstanding during the day by each of the 3 activities instructors. Everyone received an ‘Active Penrith’ bag for participating on the day.
Big thanks to the Panthers on the Prowl team (Rex, Scott & Venetia) and Council’s Monique Desmarchelier and Nat Eglem.
Free Penrith Emu’s Rugby Union Come & Try Day
Free Penrith Swimming Centre Carnival Open Day
Despite being a cold gloomy Saturday the Penrith Swimming Centre Open Day, held on the 10th October 2009, felt like a perfect 30 degree summers day with a crowd of over 300 people enjoying the day and all the fantastic facilities the Swimming Centre has to offer.
The open day took place between 9.00 am – 5.00pm and offered free admission and use of the giant crocodile slide for the day with new local radio station Fusion 87.8FM providing a fun atmosphere, broadcasting live dance music from the Swimming Centre.
Special guest for part of the day, Bronte Barratt (Gold medallist in the 4 by 200 metre relay at the Beijing Olympics in 2008) flew in from Canberra.
Bronte was a great sport and spent time signing autographs and talking to the public.
Bronte even had a go on the pools giant Crocodile Slide before playing a fun game of Marco Polo with the kids in the pool.
Bronte recieved a bunch of flowers, chocolates and most importantley an Active Penrith bag full of goodies, which she was thrilled about.
Tamara the Tomato and Oscar the Orange along with Council’s Healthy People Partnership Officer, Monique Desmarchelier and Therrie Zadravec Council’s Recreation Support Officer spent the day wandering around the crowd promoting healthy eating and posing for photos with children.
Learn to swim classes were offered during the early part of the day, Emerald Dragon wowed the crowd with their Thai Chi, Cardio Kung Fu and Self defence demonstrations and a basketball competition later in the day help to bring the days activities to an end.
Other activities that were held over the day, to help create a carnival atmosphere included:
- A jumping castle
- Clowns with balloon sculpting
- Face painting
- Magic Show
A free sausage sizzle lunch was provided for the hungry crowd with over 700 sausages eaten
Overall the Penrith Swimming Centre Open day was a huge success with a great day being had by all who attended. A big thanks to all of the Penrith City Council Staff who helped to make the day as great as it was.
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Participants were initially given a safety brief prior to some warm ups before the real fun began.
Players were then run through their paces with several skills stations in operation to allow the participants the opportunity to develop some hitting, fielding and throwing skills 
Chris Coleman (Penrith City Softball Association) coaching participants how to field.
Players were then required to showcase their new found skills in a modified game with everyone participating. The game culminated with the parents taking to the diamond in an effort to show the children just how it should be done. All in all - a fun time was had by everyone . 
This was evident through the number of players and even the odd parent who has immediately signed up for the current season of softball.
24 young people took part in the session with all participants recieving Active Penrith Givaways.
8/11/09
Free Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity Workshop
A workshop was held at Penrith PCYC for coaches, volunteers and people working in disability services. To aid them to adapt and modify sport and physical activities to better cater to the abilities of people with a disability. The workshop was the first of its kind to be hosted in Penrith and was delivered by NSW Sport & Recreation.
18 people passed the course – Congratulations People Good Work!!
In the workshop candidates gained a practical insight into the Sports Ability program, which contains equipment and resources for five inclusive activities, goalball, boccia, sitting volleyball, polybat and table cricket.
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7 &8/10/09
Free PCYC Sports Disability Program
A fantastic Sports Disability Program was held at Penrith PCYC over two days. The activity provided multi-sport activities for young people with disabilities. All abilities were catered for in a fun and friendly environment.
Twenty two participants aged between 12 -18 years with a variety of disabilities from autism, spina bif, aspergers, down syndrome CP, ADHD, learning disabilities and many more were involved.
The initiative was delivered by PCYC, NSW Sport & Recreation, Boccia NSW, NSW Wheel Chair Rugby League association and Council.
David Burns (PCC Recreation Operations Officer) stated “Strong partnerships have been formulated and there is no doubt how successful the two days have been. The participants have really enjoyed themselves, and it just proves how powerful sport can be in breaking down barriers. It’s where we go from here what’s important in ensuring sustainable sports provision is provided for people with disabilities in Penrith”.
Council along with partners is looking to set up a Sport ability Club in Penrith to cater for people with disabilities. The PCYC Sports Disability Program was a taste to identify if there is a need and demand for such a club.
Boccia NSW delivering a boccia session
The answer is a resounding yes, and Council will be evaluating the initiative shortly and looking at including it as part of the Penrith Disability Sport Advisory Group and the Sports Disability Plan to be constructed for Penrith.
Karen Quinn PCYC Club Manger delivering table soccer
These were identified as areas of development through two forums that have been staged in partnership with Council and NSW Sport & Recreation which included sports clubs / associations and disability services.
NSW Wheel Chair Rugby League delivering a session to the participants.
All participants made use of the free barbecue cooked up by PCYC staff.
All participants involved received Active Penrith giveaways.
Walk to WorkCouncil staff, and members of Penrith City community, walked to work on Friday 2nd October, as part of National Walk to Work Day (WTWD).
National Walk to Work Day is held annually to remind all Australians that regular physical activity such as walking is a great way to not only avoid obesity but also a range of illnesses including high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis and cancer.
Urban graze a premier hands on cooking school was there with vegetable quiches and muesli and yogurt for those who had walked on the morning.
Projections say that by 2025, some 4.6 million Australians will be obese - Don’t be one of them. Walking is such a simple activity, yet the majority of Australians don’t do enough of it. This is one of the key reasons that currently more than half of the Australian populations is overweight or obese.
The facts speak for themselves. Access Economics estimates that productivity losses due to obesity are at $3.6 billion and a further $2 billion in health costs, while the combined financial costs of the obesity related ‘big three’ is $19.5 billion dollars per annum. (Diabetes $3 billion; cardio-vascular disease $12.1 billion; and cancers $ 3.4 billion).
Studies have also shown that walking can play a part in overcoming mild to moderate depression when combined with other therapies, which accounts for three to four days off work per month per person experiencing depression- the equivalent of more than six million working days per year in Australia. Undiagnosed depression costs $4.3 billion dollars in lost productivity
Well done to all involved.........
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1/10/09
Inaugural Penrith City Youth Games
A combined partnership between Penrith City Council, the Australian Sports Commission’s Active After-school Communities (AASC) program, Hockey NSW, Penrith District and the Western District Women’s Hockey Associations culminated in the inaugural Penrith City Youth Games being played at the UWS Kingswood hockey fields on October 1, 2009.
The day officially kicked off Penrith City Council’s Active Penrith month and was duly opened by the newly elected Penrith City Mayor, Councilor Kevin Crameri.
From left: David Burns (PCC Recreation Operations Officer), Paul Bruce (Chief Executive Hockey NSW), NSW athlete Harriet Moore, PCC Mayor Kevin Crameri, NSW athlete Jade Close, Gary Everson (Austlralian Sports Commision) Nat Eglem (Recreation Support Officer) for the 1st Annual Penrith City Youth Games opening.
Four local public schools, Blackwell, Londonderry, St Marys North and Wallacia participated on the day with a total of 79 children involved.
During term 3, specifically trained hockey coaches, delivered a free 7 week hockey program to the schools, as part of the Australian Sports Commission’s Active After-school Communities program, which allowed the participating children, to show case their newly acquired talents at the inaugural event.
Penrith City Council’s Recreation Operations Officer, David Burns said “the day was an outstanding success and was a fitting start to our Active Penrith month. The day would not have been possible without the huge efforts from council staff, the Australian Sports Commission, Hockey NSW but most importantly the respective local hockey associations.”
The program has been formed through a strong partnership by all involved. There have been sessions already set up with the men's and women's associations This has always been within the plan to ensure the children filter into the hockey associations from the school club link program, ensuring sustainability.
Penrith Council’s vision is that next year there will be the 2nd Penrith City Youth Games and to compliment the hockey another sport will be added.
Garry Everson, Regional Coordinator for the Active After-school Communities program stated that important links were made between the local hockey clubs, the schools and of course the children. Penrith City Council is to be congratulated on showing the foresight to pilot the Penrith City Youth Games, which is actually aimed at the grass roots level.
“The Council’s very successful initiative has provided local hockey clubs with a great opportunity to promote hockey within the local school communities, a council being proactive within its community.”
The format of the day was skills stations during the morning, lunch and then matches in the afternoon. All schools were split into groups and intergraded to ensure interaction.
PCC staff David and Monique cooking up a healthy barbecue for particpants. Woolworths from Penrith Plaza kindley donated a 100 apples and 100 bananas.
After lunch again all pupils were mixed and this time put into teams for a competitive matches.
During the whole day coaches had been provided with stars to hand out to children.
These were distributed for good behaviour, the positive way the children interacted with each other, the way they represented their respective schools, sportsmanship, helping others, or quality hockey skills etc.
The stars were counted up at the closing cermony, and the school with the most stars was crowned the winner.
The 1st Penrith City Youth Games winners were Wallacia Public School
CONGRATULATIONS to Wallacia Public School who picked the shield, which they will keep for one year. Each school was presented with a hockey trophey and a special addition history of women's hockey donated by the Woman's Hockey Association.
All participants involved received certifictates and an Active Penrith bag including water bottle, wrist band, fridge magnet and hockey posters.
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(October 1 - November 1, 2009)
Active Penrith will get you active and enjoying taking part in physical activity, no matter what your ability.
"Currently only half of the NSW population meets the recommended level of at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week”
Premier Council for Active Living NSW (PCAL)
Being active in every day life has social and environmental benefits for communities as well as individuals. Active communities are more likely to have greater community cohesion and participation.
All initiatives under Active Penrith focus on creating pathways for development, links and opportunities for people to access sports clubs and use their local leisure facilities. Sessions will be delivered by qualified and accredited coaches.
A healthier lifestyle comes naturally with eating well and being physically ACTIVE!
22/09/09 Mayor Cr Jim Aitkin & David Burns (PCC Recreation Operations Officer) plus Penrith Christian School year 3. Promoting 'Free Learn to Swim' as part of Active Penrith Month at Pentrith Swimming Centre
More Information
For more information on Active Penrith month contact Penrith City Council Recreation Department on:
David Burns
(Recreation Operations Officer)
Email davidburns@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au
Phone (02) 4732 7930
or
Natalie Eglem
(Recreation Support Officer)
Phone (02) 4732 8215
Email neglem@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au
Website www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au .
