Women in Sport Commission raises issues awareness in two-day workshop
The Women in Sports Commission has returned from a trip to Aitutaki impressed at how the island uses sports as a tool to raise awareness of various issues on the island.
Rosie Blake, chairperson of the Women in Sports Commission and her team, delivered a number of good messages to the island.
The team was given a huge traditional welcome by by Aitutaki school students for the presentation of International Olympic Committee Adopt-a-Country programme certificates and funds of $500 for each of the island's four schools.
The function was attended by the leaders of the island including Aitutaki mayor John Baxter and members of the Araura College PTA.
Blake explains that the island's schools did a tremendous job in supporting and hosting athletes from seven countries during the 2009 Pacific Mini Games sailing competition on the island.
Blake adds that due to the devastation caused on the island by cyclone Pat last year - the Women in Sport Commission thought it more suitable to take the funds to the island this year now that the island is back on its feet.
The commission also ran a number of Zumba classes on the island with the help of Fitness Revolution instructors Tai Ngari and Puai Wichman.
This was well received with the Zumba craze sure to take the island by storm.
The commission and CISNOC team in conjunction with the Cook Islands Family Welfare Association, who sourced funding for the two-day workshop, met with some 40 young women on the island to discuss adolescent issues faced by Aitutaki teenagers.
The workshop was opened and closed by Akaiti Puna, wife of Prime Minister Henry Puna.
A meeting was also held with the sports federations on Aitutaki.
Blake says she was impressed with the revitalised sports association on the island and the work new president Rere Mataiti is doing to get federations back out on the sports field and developing junior athletes.
Blake adds that there is also a positive buzz on the island as athletes get ready for the Manea Games on Mangaia later this year.
She says the Women in Sport Commission is keen to run more workshops about Olympic Values which include using sports as a tool to promote growth and raise awareness about the importance of culture, health, education and the environment.
MW
Last Modified on 23/03/2011 13:35