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Timothy endorses fat-fighting sport
Monday 2nd February 2009
Timothy is campaigning to raise the global profile of an obesity-busting tool developed in North Yorkshire. He is lending his support to a campaign to raise awareness of Rock-It-Ball.
On Saturday 31st January Timothy tried his hand at the sport when he attended an exhibition match, in Easingwold. The match is part of a fundraising day featuring Rock-It-Ball player Keith Adams, from Thornaby, who is raising funds to establish a national governing body for the sport.
The sport involves "dribbling" a ball between two baskets on a control stick. Points are scored by striking opposition players with the low-impact ball, or catching shots from opponents in one of the baskets.
On Saturday, Mr Adams, who has represented England at Rock-It-Ball, dribbled a ball from his home in Thornaby, to the leisure centre in Easingwold, and back again - a round trip of some 70 miles. Timothy plans to take the Rock-It-Ball message to his EU counterparts in a bid to spread the word.
Rock-It-Ball was designed and developed by Paul Law, of Romanby, near Northallerton, in 2005. It has since been introduced in many junior and secondary schools across the UK. The sport is also making inroads into prisons, colleges, leisure centres and universities.
Mr Law said: "We have had a tremendous amount of support from all over the place. Mr Kirkhope expressed an interest in watching a game. He recognises it as a good tool for keeping children fit and tackling obesity."
The sport is now played in 14 countries, has seen the establishment of an international federation and a number of national governing bodies and independent clubs. It is part of four Youth Sport Trust programmes and the Sainsbury's Active Kids campaign. It can be played by people of all ages and abilities and with a range of disabilities.
Mr Kirkhope said:
"We are being made aware every day of the benefits of keeping active and participating in sporting activities. Rock-It-Ball is a versatile sport which can be played in many ways, at many different levels and is an ideal addition to anyones fitness regime. This is an exciting way for people of all ages and abilities to get involved in something that is both fun and beneficial to their health."
For more information, visit rock-it-ball.com
ENDS
