Jumpstarting physical fitness
James Wilder Jr. and Matt Black of the Toronto Argonauts were at St. Mary Catholic Elementary School in Niagara Falls Wednesday. PHOTO BY: JENNIFER PELLEGRINI.
The Niagara Catholic District School Board have a lot of balls in the air thanks to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
Mark’s and Jumpstart raised $8,000 at their annual manager’s conference in Niagara Falls which they used to purchase and donate 1,500 balls (500 volleyballs, 500 basketballs and 500 soccer balls) to the 57 local Niagara Catholic schools.
James Wilder Jr. and Matt Black of the Toronto Argonauts were at St. Mary Catholic Elementary School in Niagara Falls Wednesday to help kick off the donation. More than 60 students in Grades 4-6 attended the assembly, where the Canadian Football League players spoke about the importance of physical fitness and activity.
“I think it’s very important what Mark’s and Jumpstart are doing,” Wilder said. “They are helping out so many students.”
Wilder, who also played two seasons in the National Football League with the Cincinnati Bengals, told students to put their time with the balls to good use.
“With recess and everything going on, you can use this to work on your leadership skills and teamwork with basketball or soccer or whatever you’re doing,” he said. “Just unity and coming together and being able to come out and get your exercise. That is definitely most important.”
Black, who grew in Toronto and was wearing his two Grey Cup championship rings, implored the students to take physical fitness seriously.
“Obviously, being athletes we’re very active every single day. I want you all to remember you have one body. If you don’t you use it, you lose it. So stay active,” he said.
Black also mentioned how sports can open so many doors for athletes.
“Sport is a really, really amazing thing,” he said. “Find something you love and enjoy and use your body and I guarantee you when you are our age you can look back and you will have a lot of friends and a lot of memories. Your body will be healthy and you can live and long and happy life.”
Following a question and answer period with the players, students from the Grade 6 class, taught by former Brock Badger and Welland Cougar Joe Forte, had a chance to get active and use some of the new equipment with Black and Wilder.
St. Mary principal Rosie Araujo was thrilled with the donation.
“This is something we can always use. We’re always looking for some way to improve the physical fitness of our students. We know how expensive gym equipment is and this is something that will definitely benefit (us). We’re looking at mind, body and spirit and this is the body.
“As soon as they called us there was no hesitation. What a wonderful presentation for our students. This is fantastic.”
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