AusLeisure

Primary and high schools in Ipswich are set to benefit from the City Council's backing of the ZOVA physical activity resource.

In a first of its kind initiative, the Mayor and Councillors of Ipswich City have partnered with ZOVA to improve physical activity levels across the City by funding ZOVA to all schools within the catchment.

ZOVA is an innovative way to introduce and instruct sport, activity and fitness skills using rhythm. Any classroom teacher can use ZOVA to get their class active via any Internet enabled smart-whiteboard, laptop or tablet. Additionally, students can access ZOVA from home after school via the ZOVA website.

ZOVA has been developed by Brisbane-based entrepreneurs, James Tonkin and Niall McCarthy, who believe it will prove useful in education, fitness and community sectors, as well as for elite athletes in major sporting teams. With recent features on both the TODAY Show and Fox Sports, ZOVA has seen significant traction and growth across Australia and Internationally.

ZOVA's philosophy of using music to motivate during sports or fitness classes is not new, and the founders readily admit that they borrow some principles from Zumba. However, ZOVA uses specific sports and fitness skills set to music rather than simpler dance moves like Zumba.

In a recent study by the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), researchers found that ZOVA could play an important role in keeping more kids healthy well into adulthood.

USC researcher Dr Rachael Sharman, USC found that "ZOVA particularly appeared to engage students who initially nominated themselves as 'low exercisers' and those children reported substantial increases in physical activity following their participation in the ZOVA program."

The roll out to Ipswich schools will begin as of Term 3 2013 with teachers able to start instructing ZOVA as a resource for the National Curriculum or a smart moves alternative.

For more information go to www.zova.com/

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