Starting today, ParticipACTION will launch its annual Community Better Challenge and municipalities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are encouraged to take part. The Community Better Challenge is a national physical activity initiative that encourages people to get active while searching for Canada’s Most Active Community.
To register, communities have to sign-up on the ParticipACTION website. Once registered, communities should encourage their residents to engage in as much physical activity as possible, in-person or virtual, for the duration of the challenge., which runs until the end of June. Residents should download the free ParticipACTION app, available through Apple or Google Play stores, to automatically track their daily movement. All minutes tracked on the app throughout the month will be counted towards a community’s total score.
After the challenge ends on Thursday, June 30, 50 finalist communities will be invited to submit an application to ParticipACTION explaining why they deserve to be Canada’s Most Active Community. One community will win the $100,000 grand prize and the title of Canada’s Most Active Community. There will also be a $15,000 prize for the most active community in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2021, Grand Falls-Windsor was named Newfoundland and Labrador’s Most Active Community.
The Community Better Challenge aligns with the ongoing ‘Everything Gets Better’ campaign, and complements the partnership between the Provincial Government and ParticipACTION. Similar to the ‘Everything Gets Better’ campaign, the Community Better Challenge helps raise awareness about the physical and mental health benefits associated with increased physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviours.
Quotes
“ParticipACTION’s Community Better Challenge encourages people of all ages and abilities to rally together with their local hometown and get moving during the month of June. Supporting active, healthy lifestyles and building active, healthy communities is part of this challenge. I encourage everyone to take part this year and help your community get crowned Canada’s or Newfoundland and Labrador’s Most Active Community.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
“Municipal governments and leaders are uniquely positioned to engage with residents in fun and accessible ways to encourage healthy, active lifestyles. I encourage all communities to get involved in the Community Better Challenge and take advantage of this excellent opportunity to become Canada’s or the province’s Most Active Community. Let’s get active, Newfoundland and Labrador!”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
“Newfoundland and Labrador has embraced the Community Better Challenge because physical activity has the power to bring communities together. As soon as you start participating in the challenge, you’re not only getting of the great individual physical and mental benefits that come with being active, but you’re also helping your community get one step closer to becoming Canada’s Most Active and winning $100,000 towards local physical activity initiatives.”
Elio Antunes
President and CEO, ParticipACTION
“Grand Falls-Windsor was extremely proud and honoured to be named 2021’s Most Active Community in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Community Better Challenge really brought our community together, with residents diligently logging their activity minutes and sharing their activities on social media. After winning, we received $15,000 to go towards delivering more recreational programming and events for residents of all ages and abilities. As a municipality, it is so important to provide our residents with recreation opportunities to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle. I encourage all communities to get active together for this year’s Community Better Challenge.”
Barry Manuel
Mayor, Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
– 30 –
Learn more
ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge
ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge Video
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @TCAR_GovNL and @MPA_GovNL
Like us on Facebook
Media contacts
Adrienne Luther
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4819, 730-2953
adrienneluther@gov.nl.ca
Lynn Robinson
Municipal and Provincial Affairs
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca
Miguel Pacheco
ParticipACTION
416-913-1653
mpacheco@participaction.com
Robyn Hannaford
Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
709-489-0173, 689-3682
communications@townofgfw.com