Simon Neate Marketing Administrator Sport Bay of Plenty

With downpours, frosts, short days and snow on the Kaimai Ranges, it's been a chilly couple of months in the region.

Yet despite the unpredictable weather, Sport Bay of Plenty remains busy in the community.

Earlier this year Sport Bay of Plenty undertook a region-wide survey to better understand the participation in our Play in the Bay initiative.

We've recently been analysing the data and one revealing finding is a lack of fitness appears to be both a motivation and a barrier to beginners becoming more involved in recreation.

August is ‘Move it Month' and a perfect opportunity for beginners to get active.

This month's calendar is full of free and discounted introductory fitness, martial arts and dance classes – and there are some specific sessions for women, seniors and children too.

Pick up a calendar from your local library or visit www.sportbop.co.nz/playinthebay

The Virtually on Track project is a collaboration between the Department of Conservation, Sport New Zealand and Sport Bay of Plenty with supportive alliances with local councils.

It focuses on utilisation and development of eight significant recreation hubs or ‘gems' identified throughout the Bay of Plenty.

A large component of the project is links with technology and the first in a series of ‘technology challenges' took place in July – the Modified Orienteering Challenge.

It utilised GPS technology with participants using smartphone app Endomondo to track a 5km or 10km course through Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest and submit their times and proof of completion via the app.

Congratulations to Tim Cochrane and Rebecca Smith, who won vouchers for recording the fastest times.

Next up is the Kawerau Geo-Teering Challenge. Get involved at: www.sportbop.co.nz/virtuallyontrack_challenges

The Green Prescription Diabetes Prevention Project is now well underway and referrals are rising steadily.

The project targets those in the community who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and provides a prevention programme specifically targeting 18-45 year olds.

This project has been funded through the Ministry of Health, which is concerned about the growing incidence of pre-diabetes in New Zealand.

This condition can be reversed through lifestyle changes and Sport Bay of Plenty Green Prescription advisors will work with clients to identify appropriate physical activity options matched to their interests and fitness levels – and to make healthier food choices through nutritional workshops, and practical sessions on healthy cooking.

This is just a small sample of the work we're involved in. And with our staff numbers approaching 50 across our Whakatane, Rotorua and Tauranga offices, we look forward to becoming even more involved in sport, recreation, health and school sport in the region.