26 July 2002 Participation Key to Rebel Kiwisport Challenge Prizes

A total of $2000 is up for grabs among primary and intermediate schools participating in this year's Rebel KiwiSport Challenge around Canterbury.

Major sponsor Rebel Sports is providing the prize money for schools which attract the most spectators in relation to the number of children participating. These prizes will be given in two categories, the first for schools with more than 150 pupils and secondly schools with less than 150 pupils. The top three schools in each category will receive a prize.

Nine and a half thousand children will take part in this year's event which runs from 19 August to 13 September in schools throughout the region.

The Rebel KiwiSport Challenge is an initiative of Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) known formerly as the Hillary Commission, and is endorsed by Sport Canterbury. The KiwiSport ideal is to encourage participation and fair play in all sports regardless of a child's age or ability.

Sixty Lincoln University students studying for Bachelor of Recreation Management degrees will administer, supervise and coach at various schools throughout the course of the Challenge.

One of these students is Katie Ritchie, a New Zealand A netballer and Lincoln University Sports Scholar (Netball). Katie feels the event is worthwhile as "it is a fun, non-competitive way of learning new skills in sports modified to suit children. The skills I learnt at school have proved invaluable to me in my netball."

Rebecca Gordon, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.