Get Kids Active Charitable Trust (GKACT) was founded with a vision to create an inclusive environment where everyone can participate in a sporting or recreational activity that is meaningful to them. They have been doing just that for the past ten years, with fun activities such as the Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge.
With funding from the Rotorua Trust, GKACT has organised and delivered the Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge, an annual fun activity for children. The funding helped cover associated costs, such as event management and venue hire and enabled GKACT to keep entry fees affordable for tamariki.
Aimee says, “The funding that we received from Rotorua Trust enabled us to keep entries low and affordable, and further promotes the event to grow and allow more tamariki from our priority groups to participate,” and “Children from all ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic groups, and physical and intellectual disabilities have also been involved and regularly attend the event and take part with their support persons.”
The Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge is a chance for primary and intermediate-aged kids to get involved in New Zealand’s biggest mud run series in a version tailored especially for them. The participants take on the 1.5km or 3km muddy obstacle course consisting of swamp crossings, a spider’s web net climb, crawl under obstacles, run through native bush trails, tunnels, hurdles, climbing frames, water crossings, and all the mud you can find! The event is a great fun day for all students, teachers, staff, and spectators involved.
The trust has successfully expanded the event throughout the North Island, creating more opportunities for children to participate. In 2023, GKACT expanded to another area of Auckland, South Auckland (Pukekohe), a huge success. In 2024, the trust will open more days in its busier venues (Wellington and Hamilton) to allow more opportunities for children to be involved.
The future aspirations of GKACT include expanding the Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge to the South Island, which would require sponsorship and the backing of the South Island communities and schools. The trust aims to provide a safe and fun environment for tamariki to challenge themselves, step out of their comfort zones, and have fun doing physical activity and recreational play.