A hugely popular Pacific Island Sports Tournament was held earlier this year, with the help of Sport Southland, and brought together teams across a range of ages to play a variety of sports.
When Aiga and Tulua noticed younger people starting to come to the youth group, they realised a separate group was needed for children. So they set up the kids club for 5-12 year olds.
This group has also proven popular, so much so that they have had to limit numbers and they are starting to see people who have never been involved in any PIACT events or activities coming along.
But the community connection doesn’t stop there.
An adult group, made up primarily of the parents of kids club members, has recently been set up. Its first activity was an eight week pre-Christmas challenge.
Getting people physically active and informed about good nutrition was only one part of the challenge, the pair say, as it was also about connecting a group of people who may otherwise feel isolated and showing them that you don’t need gym memberships or special equipment to be active and healthy.
‘’It’s really about bringing awareness to what we can use in the community that’s free. Everyone’s saying how awesome it is to be in that group.’’
Healthy Families Invercargill manager Jared Cappie said it was important leadership opportunities were developed in the community as this was how sustainable change occurred.
‘’It’s great to see the Pacific Island Advisory and Cultural Trust taking an active role in connecting their community, and working collaboratively to create real change.’’
‘’Creating healthy, sustainable change can only be achieved by working together.’’