JAG Sports and Education Foundation has a close partnership with the New York Road Runners Foundation (NYRRF). NYRR Foundation has been developing and implementing running programs for youth of all sizes, fitness levels and athletic talents since 1999. Their programs serve more than 20,000 children a week in over 150 New York City schools and community centers as well as in a number of municipalities outside of New York City.
The JAG Sports and Education Foundation has implemented running programs based on NYRRF programmes here in South Africa for children in communities identified by the Foundation.
The programs portfolio
Mighty Metres
The Mighty Metres programme, based on the successful Mighty Milers running programme established by NYRRF, was officially launched in South Africa in “May 2007. Read the official press release
The Mighty Metres is a physical education program for primary schools that instills the daily habit of running and/or walking for health, longevity, and well-being. Mighty Metres stimulates primary school children of all fitness levels to run and/or walk(one to six accumulated marathons) during the school year by covering one kilometer, three to five times a week.
Students earn incentives along the way including a medal for every marathon of kilometers they complete. Mighty Metres can supplement or become a school/organization’s physical education program; make school break time productive and orderly; provide classes with a fun, focused, fitness break; or serve as the warm-up session for an athletics team.
The incentive scheme applies to both: students, who accumulate kilometers and and schools, which have joined in.
Students receive incentives for every completed marathon of metres, such as:
- Mighty Metres certificate
- Mighty Metres pencil case
- Mighty Metres t-shirt
- Mighty Metres water bottle
- Mighty Metres running sticker
- Mighty Metres top bag
- Mighty Metres medal
Schools that have joined and participated in the programme receive incentives in the form of:
- Motivational and inspirational speeches
- Computers
- Sport equipment
Mighty Metres encourages kids to:
Get active!
Get moving!
Have fun!
Release constructive energy!
Improve aerobic fitness!
Set and strive for personal goals!
Bond with their class and school!
Develop exercise as a healthy habit!
Since its launch in May 2007 the Mighty Metres programme has attracted nearly 30,000 children in primary schools in the Western and Eastern Cape.
View the images from prize giving ceremonies at Mighty Metres schools
The long term objective for the Mighty Metres is to enable each child in South AFrica to run everyday.
PRONUTRO JAGRUNNERS
PRONUTRO JAGRUNNERS programme was piloted in Kayamandi in April 2008 and fully launched on 28 June 2008.
PRONUTRO JAGRUNNERS programme in based on an intensive program which motivates and trains primary through to high school students to participate in the running events such as: the Cross Country, Fun Runs and Track events.
Participants learn to set and achieve challenging personal goals and are awarded incentives for attendance and improvement. JAG Young Runners, while intended to be physically challenging, is designed for children of all fitness and athletic levels. It uses the structure and popularity of the team to help kids reach their full human potential, not just their athletic potential.
