The Premier’s be active Challenge has had its most successful year since 2015, with the highest number of completions and a new record for school involvement.

The initiative promotes physical activity and wellbeing for students from Reception to Year 12 at government and non-government schools. Medals are awarded to those who complete at least one hour of physical activity on at least five days a week for at least four weeks.

More than 400 students celebrated this year’s results at a reception on Thursday 21 November with the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer.

Representatives from 50 schools with outstanding achievement were presented with certificates and $1,000 grants to promote physical activity at their school.

The results of the challenge this year include:

• A new record for school involvement, with 236 schools from across the state completing the challenge.
• More than 35,000 students who received awards for completing the challenge – the most since 2015.
• South Australian students did at least 704,000 hours of physical activity as part of the initiative.
• More than 11,500 students completed the challenge for the first time this year.
• Two students received the be active for life Hall of Fame medal for completing the challenge 12 years in a row.

Department for Education Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell said I want to congratulate the schools and students for their willingness to get involved and their tenacity and determination in completing the challenge.

“Every hour of activity has brought a multitude of benefits. Regular physical activity provides a sense of achievement and wellbeing and can contribute to higher engagement and academic performance” he said.

“The challenge encourages students to be more active and to do it by choosing activities they enjoy”.

“For some that will involve a solo activity, and for others a connection with a sporting club that will continue long after they have finished school”.

“The initiative helps schools promote physical activity in a fun and rewarding way, with incentives for students who might initially be reluctant to get started”.

Since the challenge started in 2007, more than 569,000 students have taken part, both at school and at home.

Ambassadors who volunteer their time and support include South Australian swimmer Harrison Biddell, cyclist Sarah Dally, netballer Georgia Dent, Paralympian Libby Kosmala, Commonwealth Games diving medallist Shixin Li and distance runner Jessica Stenson.

It is also supported by Adelaide United Football Club, Adelaide Lightning Basketball Club, Adelaide 36ers Basketball Club, Port Adelaide Football Club, Adelaide Football Club, Thunderbirds Netball Club and the SA Scorpions.

Read more about the Premier’s be active Challenge.