Lighter and fitter, the 2015 NSW Aboriginal Knockout Health Challenge winners proudly accepted their awards at the Knockout gala dinner hosted by the Walgett Aboriginal Connection in Dubbo last night.
Winners of the Challenge Shield – Nowra’s Dead or Deadly team – also snared first place in the Julie Young Challenge, closely followed by Menindee’s Nguri Wiithiku team in second place and the Eurobodalla Scale Busters in third place.
Executive Director of the NSW Centre for Population Health, Dr Jo Mitchell, said 38 teams from 28 Aboriginal communities across NSW participated in this year’s Knockout Health Challenge events, collectively losing over 2700 kilograms in weight.
“The results are very positive – participants showed commitment to developing and maintaining healthy lifestyles and successfully reduced their risk of chronic disease as well as their waistlines,” Dr Mitchell said.
“Dead or Deadly, an all-female side based at the Waminda South Coast Aboriginal Women’s Health and Welfare Corporation, put in a particularly amazing effort to top the Challenge overall.”
The Knockout Health Challenge, a joint initiative of the NSW Ministry of Health, Agency for Clinical Innovation and NSW Rugby League, engages Aboriginal communities to lose weight and improve their health. The 2015 events included two 12 week weight loss challenges, the George Rose and Julie Young Challenges, as well as the Kyle Saunders fitness video challenge, the Ronny Gibbs “Above the line” Challenge and Participation Awards.
NSW Rugby League’s Indigenous Rugby League Manager, Ricky Walford, said it was great to see so many new communities among the 1200-plus participants stepping up to lose weight, get active and improve their lifestyles.
“The Challenge continues to deliver terrific outcomes for participants and their communities as they strengthen their resolve to reduce their risk of chronic disease,” Mr Walford said.
One of the Challenge Ambassadors, Julie Young, a proud Warray woman and World Cup winning member of the Jillaroos, said she was proud to continue her involvement with the Knockout Health Challenge.
“I’d like to congratulate all the participants and I really hope that you achieved your goals and continue to live a healthy lifestyle,” Ms Young said. “This challenge is about building healthy families and communities and supporting each other.”
Knockout Health Challenge participants can receive support from a free confidential health coaching telephone service, the Get Healthy Service, which provides advice on physical activity, healthy eating and healthy weight. Anyone can join the Get Healthy Service by calling 1300 806 258 or visiting www.gethealthynsw.com.au to register online.
2015 NSW Aboriginal Knockout Health Challenge Winners
George Rose Challenge:
Julie Young Challenge:
Kyle Saunders Fitness Video Challenge : For this Challenge, teams had to create a fitness video which incorporated stamina, team effort and rugby league skills.
Ronny Gibbs “Above the line” Challenge:The Ronny Gibbs “Above the line” Challenge was a new initiative this year, rewarding teams which achieved a team weight loss percentage of three per cent or more. Altogether 13 teams succeeded in this Challenge and received funding grants to put back into their community to promote healthy lifestyles.
Winners: Albury Mixed Salad, Bogga Bamba Mirriis, Central Coast Challenge Accepted, Condo Kilo Killers, Deadly Yinarrs (Quirindi), Griffith, Illawarra Titans, Indigi Active (Newcastle), Light as a feather Wagga, Nambucca, Toomelah, Tweed Goorie Go Getters and the Western Sydney Wobblers.
Participation PointsThe following teams won awards for participation.
For more information on the Aboriginal Knockout Health Challenge visit www.facebook.com/nswknockoutchallenge.