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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
2009
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2005
Media Releases
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200809 Apr 2008 - 150,000 children join active after-school program
More than 150,000 children are now playing sport, games and activities after school in the Federal Government's safe, fun and structured Active After-school Communities (AASC) program.
PDF printable version of 150,000 children join active after-school program (PDF 26 KB)
The Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, today joined thousands of kids around Australia to celebrate the milestone.
"To have 150,000 kids active, living healthier lifestyles and developing positive physical activity habits is a great achievement," Ms Ellis said.
"Participants are improving their motor skills, making new friends and developing a lifelong love of being physically active."
Ms Ellis said the AASC program had grown from 900 primary schools in Term 2, 2005, to over 3,200 schools.
"The competition for the attention of young people is intense. The growing use of the internet and video games presents a major challenge to get kids off the couch and active," Ms Ellis said.
"To address the obesity crisis we need to ensure programs, like AASC, encourage more Australians to develop healthy routines at a young age."
Ms Ellis said principals, teachers and after-school care coordinators worked tirelessly to make the program work.
"We are seeing some great results, but we are always looking for new ways to encourage more young people to embrace healthy and active lifestyles," Ms Ellis said.
For more information about the AASC program visit www.ausport.gov.au/aasc
