Healthy Active Lifestyles (established 2000)

"The playing and participating in sport and the protection and safety of children and young people is at the centre of the Prowl ethos"

Healthy Lifestyles Program
A progam targeted primarily at primary age students designed to improve diet and , nutrition and exercise levels. This program also provides professional development and in-service support for teachers involved in the program. The 'Panther Bytes' project is a major component of the Healthy Lifestyles program offered to schools.

How is it Accessed?

Schools request access to the program through the General Manager, Richard Booth.A qualified Physical Education Teacher (Rex Wright) conducts the Program and targets 12 schools per year (1500 students).

What is provided?

The team assists the school to implement a targeted healthy lifestyle program over a three day period. During this time the staff receive education on anthropometric testing, diet and nutrition. Parents are also invited to a session with a Dietician and a Panthers player to discuss special aspects of physical training and diet. The team return the following term to record post program data and provide the school with feedback on their physical education programs.

The "Healthy Schools Bus (Bytes Bus)" also attends the school and contains laptop computers with wireless internet connection and a large screen television. The activities are designed to motivate and encourage students to engage in healthy lifestyle choices.

A free resource pack is provided to the school at the conclusion of the program.

Staff

• Physical Education Teacher
• Teacher's Aide (Panthers Junior Grade Player)
• Specialist Dietician (Nepean Division of General Practice)
• Univeristy of Western Sydney (Exercise Physiology students, when available)

Panthers on the Prowl are ambassadors for NSW Health's 'Crunch and Sip' and 'Live Life Well' initatives, which encourage the healthy eating practices.

Over 14,000 children have participated in the program since it's inception during the year 2000.  

Rex Wright can be contacted on 02 4725 6400.

This Program was funded through the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

Feel free to read the Evaluation Report for Healthy Active ' Panther Bytes' Program, prepared by the University of Western Sydney.