Nike Joins NYC Dept. of Education and Mayor de Blasio to end Physical Inactivity

Victor Cruz helps get kids moving in NYC.

Yesterday, at P.S./I.S. 218 Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School in the Bronx, NY, NIKE, Inc. announced a partnership with The Office of the Mayor of New York and the New York City Department of Education to leave a lasting legacy in New York City and get kids active. Professional football athlete Victor Cruz joined the kids in a football-inspired physical activity session focused on the importance of living an active lifestyle.

“If we want kids to succeed, we need them to be active,” said Cruz. “Being active at a young age contributed in large part to my love for sport and activity today. I’m excited to be a part of this important partnership, which will set our New York City kids up for success now and in the future.”

“Active kids do better” is the simple message that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, the New York City Department of Education, and NIKE, Inc. are bringing to more than 65,000 school kids across New York City by 2015. The partnership, and Nike's $1 million grant to The Fund for Public Schools, will harness the energy surrounding football season to create a legacy of movement for New York City’s kids. The grant is aligned with Designed to Move, the framework for action that Nike co-developed with more than 70 expert organizations aimed at reversing the global physical inactivity epidemic.

"The City of New York is committed to ensuring that all our children are physically active before, during and after school," said New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio. "We have a responsibility to teach this city's children how to stay healthy and active, and Nike's donation to support and promote physical activity will help us achieve this worthy goal."

Studies show that active kids do better in school, have reduced levels of stress and anxiety, and enjoy greater creativity and leadership skills, yet today’s kids are the least active generation in history. An Active School model addresses the benefits of moving by integrating physical activity before, during and after the school day.

"We believe sports can be a positive force in shaping the next generation of kids and Nike's $1 million grant will help foster positive experiences in sport and physical activities for New York City's kids," said Nike VP / GM North America Joaquin Hidalgo. "While all eyes have been focused on football this past weekend, we want to inspire participation in sports and Active Schools for all kids in New York City and help reverse the epidemic of physical inactivity."

The critical window to influence lifelong behaviors and nurture a love for physical activity lies within this young age group. By 2015, more than 65,000 kids in kindergarten through junior high school will enjoy the advantages of physical activity across more than 150 New York City schools.
Nike is investing $1 million across two active school programs – CHAMPS and Move-To-Improve. Over the next school year (2014-15), the Nike grant will be used to:

• Train 2,500 additional teachers at the elementary level to deliver physical activity in school
• Create 75 new Move-To-Improve All-Star elementary schools in which at least 85 percent of teachers are trained in the curriculum
•  Expand the after-school CHAMPS programming in an additional 90 middle schools.

“I am thrilled that this partnership will allow students in more than 150 New York City public schools to experience fun and enriching fitness activities that they can incorporate into their daily routines,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “We know that success depends not only on great academics, but also good health, and physical and mental fitness. Nike’s incredible generosity is an essential investment in getting all 1.1 million New York City City public school students active.”

Source Nike


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