Eight years ago, five-year-old Danelle Wolmarans registered for Sport Canterbury’s Active Kids Holiday Programmes for the first time.

Her mother, Luzette, had been looking for a school holiday programme that promised variety and the chance to sample a range of sporting experiences – in a friendly, supportive environment.

Danelle is now 12 and enjoys athletics, netball, swimming, gymnastics and cheerleading. Her mum attributes her interest in this wide range of sports, and her confidence to try new activities, to her start on Sport Canterbury’s Active Kids Programmes.

“She’s very interested in a lot of different sports, and think that’s due to the skills she had learned. She’s showing interest in basketball, too, which is something she learned at the Active Kids programmes.

“It’s a very solid programme that’s very reasonably priced. And it gives them skills they wouldn’t necessarily be exposed to at other holiday programmes.”

Sport Canterbury’s Active Kids Holiday Programmes provide morning sessions teaching fundamental sporting skills, focusing on confidence and coordination. Afternoon sessions feature sport-specific experiences, such as excursions to Hagley Oval, visits from Touch Canterbury or Proactive Martial Arts, and visits from local sporting legends.

Commonwealth Games swimmer Hannah Bates, Black Ferns halfback Kendra Cocksedge and Paralympic bronze medallist William Stedman were a few of the special visitors who impressed Sport Canterbury’s Active Kids last year.

“Hearing from them and how they reached their goals – motivates her.”

According to Luzette, Danelle spends a great deal of time before the end of term, studying the Active Kids Holiday Programme activity schedule and seeing what she can do next.

One of the most exciting new activities in 2018 is an inflatable archery course – 'like paintball with inflatable bows and arrows.' Afternoon sessions this April feature visits from netball and rugby organisations, as well as trips to MEGA Air – all in line with the ‘active’ theme.

 “It keeps them fit and gets them away from just being on the computer and sitting around on their phones. It keeps them occupied in a healthy way.”

On-line registrations for Week Two of the April 2018 Active Kids Holiday Programmes are open now - register on-line today.