Young & Healthy Virtual Adventure 2026
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We have a growing inactivity crisis that is hitting our young people hard.
Movement is crucial for us - we were designed to move frequently and regularly. And yet, as our world has become more sophisticated, being sedentary is the norm, and movement has to be planned into our days for it to happen. For so many reasons, for the majority of us, this is happening less often. The negative impact on our brain and body is both immediate; lower mood and brain function and long term; poor health outcomes and reduced quality of life.
There is a widespread reduction in physical activity in our young people and a dramatic rise in the incidence of anxiety and depression, that science is now showing, has a link.
There are more than 900,000 children and young people aged 5-17 in New Zealand, and only 7% are meeting the New Zealand guidelines for physical activity through PE, sport, exercise and active recreation.*
Research tells us, physical activity supports;
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mood
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working memory,
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attention, and
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executive function — all the stuff that is so important for learning and retaining information.
Long periods of sitting / inactivity are linked to;
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reduced focus,
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disengagement, and
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lower academic performance.
The 2025 Sport New Zealand report, Active Bodies, Active Minds shows clear evidence that physically active tamariki and rangitahi;
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engage more in learning,
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stay in school longer
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have higher levels of achievement,
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experience higher levels of mental wellbeing."
Ultimately it can set our tamariki up for improved life outcomes, not just as youth, but right through their adult years."***
So, we're here to help our children connect with the joy of movement and develop lifelong habits that support healthy bodies, and strong, resilient minds.
"Thank you so much to you and your organization for such a wonderful programme. We noticed the change not only in the tamariki but the whanau as well.
What an amazing programme which every child and school in New Zealand needs. My kids are in absolute love with this."
- Teacher, Auckland Primary School
"I noticed improvements in students' mental health, including reduced stress, better focus, and a more positive mood.
Regular activity during the Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure seemed to enhance their overall well-being and resilience."
- Teacher, Auckland Intermediate School
*sportnz.org.nz/get-active/children-and-young-people/
**Chiang H, Chuang Y, Chen Y, et al. Physical Fitness and Risk of Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents. JAMA Pediatr. 2024;178(6):595–607. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0806
The Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure
Using a little bit of technology to help us reach tamariki, regardless of their location, the Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure brings together support and encouragement from some of our most respected sporting figures, and an element of fun and teamwork, to encourage children to move regularly.
Students build their own unique avatars and embark on a virtual tourism adventure around the world with their classmates, "visiting" places like Peru, China, Japan and more!
As their class reaches each destination on their virtual adventure, they view a short video featuring their unique avatars exploring the location they are "visiting“ and interacting with our inspiring ambassadors; Ardie Savea, Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Kane Williamson.
To move their class around the course they take in real life action, moving and other healthy behaviors like;
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regularly drinking water to stay hydrated,
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swapping leisure screen time for other activities like reading or play,
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taking moments for mindfulness, rest or deep breathing,
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choosing to eat fruit and veges when they can,
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reducing sugary foods,
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sleeping well.
Classes can do mini-challenges and fun activities during class breaks and children at home with whanau, adding to the impact and ripple effect into the wider community.
The pilot program was created in conjunction with the NSW Ministry of Health and evaluated by the University of Sydney that found;
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It had a positive impact on the physical activity of students during the program period,
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Doing more physical activities, becoming fit and feeling healthier were identified by the students themselves as some of the things they liked the best about the program.
Not only is a higher level of physical activity in childhood correlated with lower risks of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and increased life expectancy in adulthood, a recent study encompassing 1.9 million children found that children and adolescents with higher fitness exhibited lower incidences of anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and ADHD*.
*Chiang H, Chuang Y, Chen Y, et al. Physical Fitness and Risk of Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents. JAMA Pediatr. 2024;178(6):595–607. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0806
Tamariki driving positive change for their whanau
"Me and my family continue to do lots of little challenges together at home. We try and see who makes the healthier lunch, who drinks the most water and who does the most activity in a day. It is really funny because my mum and dad are so competitive between them. I love it when we play more games together to increase our steps."
- Student, Hamilton
Entry in the Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure is FREE for schools in Aotearoa.
By participating in the Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure, not only will you experience the positive benefits teachers tell us the event has on their students and class environment but you could win ASICS sport shoes for the whole class (several class lots to be won).
2026 Event Dates: Term 3: Tues 11 Aug - Fri 11 Sept
Our Virtual Coaches
We are so grateful to have our inspiring ASICS Ambassadors Ardie Savea, Kane Williamson and Ameliaranne Ekenasio as our virtual coaches, "leading" classes through the Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure. They provide support and encouragement and whenever possible we visit participating schools so tamariki can meet our sporting superstars in person.
Follow us and never miss a thing!
The Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure uses a unique digital platform to engage tamariki in a fun way, inspiring and encouraging them to move regularly in ways they enjoy and make other healthy choices in the real world!