Last year the venue was the Kimi Ora Spa, and although this year's gathering was limited to just one day, the venue was no less stunning. Held at the Moutere Hills Community Centre and Way2Go Hub, the annual Hub coordinator's hui was abuzz with information sharing, and celebration of the past year's successes. Marty Clark says one of the key objectives of the day was to acknowledge the hard work put in by the steering group members behind the scenes. He says the strength of the Active Communities project lies in the support it has from all its key stakeholders and this commitment is reflected in the enthusiasm the Hub coordinators demonstrate daily. Workshop sessions at the hui mapped out the needs of each Hub's communities, and how these needs are matched by the programmes currently running. Hub coordinators were also asked to reflect on their individual skills and encouraged to share these skills as Way2go works toward becoming self sustaining in a competitive funding environment.

Marty's moment

Welcome to our winter newsletter, and the opportunity to share in the success of our 12 regional Way2Go Hubs. It's been a busy quarter, and in this issue we report back on two events - the coordinator's gathering at Moutere Hills and Netfit training at Saxton Stadium.

Although it was disappointing to hear Nelson missed out on the New Zealand Transport Agency Model Communities trial funding, there is huge support for walking and biking in Nelson, and in the coming twelve months Way2Go is placing a strong emphasis on its walking and cycling programmes and events. We see it as a really exciting opportunity to raise the awareness of these activities as important elements of a healthy lifestyle. There are a number of programmes currently available to Hubs and they will be working with their wider communities to provide and support events that include walking and cycling. So, it's on your bike until next time.

Marty Clark

Way2Go Regional Advisor P: 923 2315  E: way2go@nel.sporttasman.org.nz

Cycling with confidence

She's had so much help from other enthusiasts that Marie Lenting is itching to share her love of cycling. Marie has recently been recruited to teach on the Way2go Upcycle programme but she admits she wasn't always a cyclist. Years ago Marie was more into running, but after a while she thought duathlons looked fun because you could do them with a partner. So, she bought a bike, joined a club and things progressed from there. Nowadays she cycles for fun rather than competitively and says she loves the freedom of being on a bike.

If you see a nice garden, you can stop and look, if you want a rest you can just get off - it's so much nicer than driving.

You don't need fancy gear, or lycra pants to go cycling - just a safe bike, a helmet, and Marie thinks gloves are a good idea - even gardening gloves will do. She says as well as having health benefits, cycling can be a very social activity and a great thing to do with your children, or grandchildren. Upcycle is a 10-week programme to help people become confident on their bikes and feel in control. The course takes people setting up their bike, basic bike maintenance, puncture repairs, and road cycling skills. Upcycle is run through Way2Go hubs at Victory Square and House 44 in Stoke. Contact Marty Clark 03 923 2315 or your nearest hub for details.

It's much more fun learning in a small social group like Upcycle - you meet people and get to explore parts of Nelson you've never been before.� Marie

Looking to the future 

The recent hub coordinator's hui gave coordinators an opportunity to look at the future emphasis Way2Go will place on walking and cycling programmes, as well as the development of a more dynamic communication strategy. 

Much of the success of the project is based on the ability to capture success stories. Coordinators were reminded that while it's easy to take for granted how life-changing physical activity programmes can be for people, it's important to get these stories out to a wider audience. 

As always, the energy that comes from filling a room full of Way2Go Hub coordinators is highly motivating and infectious, Marty says. There is no doubt we are onto a winning formula and contributing to healthier communities across our region as we break down the barriers to leading healthier lifestyles.

Matariki

What better way to celebrate Matariki than with fire, drumming, kai - and a 2k walk. This year around 600 people celebrated the Maori New Year at the annual Matariki Lantern Parade, setting off from the Victory Community Centre. After a performance by Victory Primary School children, families walked to the top of the Victory railway reserve. Under the cover of darkness, they headed back down the walkway to enjoy illuminated art work in the trees, made by local artists and pupils from the school.

Victory Community Centre, and Way2Go Coordinator Gareth Cashin, says the event is only possible because of the support of volunteers: The night is about families being active together, having an adventure at night and then coming back to the community centre to be together and share kai.

Celebrating success from the hubs - Murchison

High Five... to Gertie

Neither age, location nor lack of mobility is going to stop Gertie Oxnam from keeping active. At an younger age Gertie enjoyed sports - playing hockey, tennis, running sports, bowls and golf. But at 91 she doesn't get around as well as she used to, and now relies on her stroller. Gertie was keen to join the senior 'Sit and be Fit' class in Murchison, so Way2Go coordinator, Berylla Jones arranged the class for a time that suited her and organised a ride to the venue. That said, Gertie has walked the half a kilometre from her home when no one picked her up! Gertie gets great pleasure from her sit down exercise classes and says: Please keep up the good work.

Celebrating success from the hubs - Golden Bay

High Five... to Lisa and Richard

Music to their ears and bodies.

Just because you live in a small community your exercise options are not necessarily limited, as Lisa Sheppard and Richard Molloy found out when they moved to Golden Bay. Lisa used to go to a gym regularly in Wellington, but she was worried there wouldn't be any exercise programmes available in the Bay that fitted in around parenting and running a business. However, Lisa and Richard both found Way2Go Exercise to Music classes were just the ticket.

As commercial pilots, they spend a lot of time sitting down, and Lisa had some postnatal problems with her back. She'd also developed OOS, Occupational Overuse Syndrome from spending a lot of time at the computer. Lisa says the Exercise to Music programme works for them because the sessions are at a good time, there's childcare on site, and the tutor is aware of their needs.

All the muscle groups that had lost strength are working again now - and my back condition is under control, which is really important for my work,� Lisa says.

Before she started the Way2Go programme Lisa felt unhealthy, unfit and tired all the time - now she feels infinitely better: I can work at a pace that suits me, and because there's a really caring atmosphere, I don't feel any pressure to compete, like you do at some of the high profile classes.

Richard has greater body awareness, his co-ordination has improved and so has his posture and strength: I have much better core stability and feel fitter than I have for years. 

Contact: Dave Myall, Golden Bay Community Centre, 8 Comercial St,  Takaka,

P: 03 525 8876 or 0276697142

E: recreation@gbcw.co.nz

When they heard Zumba was coming to Wakefield, there was no stopping Cheryl and Kjstin.

The two friends have been taking the high-energy fitness class at the Wakefield Village Hall and the Brightwater Hall since it began a few weeks ago. Cheryl says because it's run in the village, she just had to do it: It's also a chance to get off the couch and away from screaming children!

Cheryl is a runner, but she says Zumba is a totally different kind of fitness programme. Both women have discovered new muscles, and Kjstin says her cardio fitness has also improved. 

People move along at their own pace - and I really like seeing lots of different shapes and sizes, all dressed in comfy clothing, free of any pretence, and having fun,� says Kjstin. Neither women think Zumba is a passing fad, and Wakefield Way2Go Coordinator Greg Biggs says it's an affordable, fun way to get active, which is exactly what Way2Go Wakefield is about. The Wakefield Way2Go Hub has been running since April .

Contact: Greg Biggs, Wakefield Hall, Whitby Lane, Wakefield P: 03 541 9320 or 021 044 0912  

E: greg@tekman.co.nz

High Five... to Jeanette

Now she's out there

It took a bit of encouragement and 'discussion' to get her on a bike, but now she's started, there's no stopping Jeanette. She was a bit shy at first but House 44 Coordinator, Tash did some nifty persuading and Jeanette has gone from just popping in for a cuppa, to getting really active at the house.

I was just sitting at home bored - and I was hesitant about physical activities, but Tash persuaded some of my friends to come along too and that was very motivational,� Jeanette says. She started off going on a bike ride with Upcycle, then went on to swimming, then did a 'move-to-lose' class: It was so much fun, now I walk to the park and around Stoke; and I have my own bike.�

Exercise has got to be fun. That was the simple message Stephanie McLennan wanted to  get across at the two day Netfit training held recently. Marlborough Community Hubs Advisor, Kim Willemse and Nelson's Way2Go Regional Advisor, Marty Clark recently pooled resources to bring Stephanie to Nelson where she focused on Sit and Be Fit, Upright and Active, Circuits and Stretching. 

Marty said 24 people from Kaikoura to Golden Bay took part in the training, all with varied backgrounds of community based physical activity programmes. Some are already leading classes at their local Hubs and wanted to refresh and upskill, however, the majority were volunteers with a passion to learn and teach classes in the future,� he explains. The workshop was very 'hands on' and reflected the fun element that is essential in community programmes: With the increase in the number of enthusiastic and competent trainers we have in the region, the Hubs will be able to meet the ever increasing demand for barrier free physical activity programmes.