Flag Rugby Attracts A Mini-U.N. of NYC Students - Flag Football

Flag Football is a hit with Queens girls...

To encourage sustained physical activity among our students, the Department of Fitness & Health Education developed the C.H.A.M.P.S. Middle School Sports & Fitness League as an outgrowth of our physical education curriculum. In approximately 1,000 programs in 200 middle schools, the C.H.A.M.P.S. programs offer additional opportunities for students, regardless of athletic ability, to engage in a wide variety of physical activities, and to encourage these students to find activities that they enjoy and can participate in for life.

The program promotes health-related fitness and sports skills that can be maintained long after school days are over. Additional goals include improving student self esteem, increasing students’ sense of school-connectedness (a protective factor for discouraging health-risk behaviors), and affording further opportunities for parental involvement.

Flag football has developed into a large component of C.H.A.M.P.S., and with support from the NY Jets and the National Football League we have been able to expand from 20 flag football programs in October, 2007 to over 100 programs in 2009. Each program will be given the opportunity for teachers to attend coaching trainings, basic equipment for beginner programs, pre season clinics for student/athletes and invitations to participate in several city-wide flag football showcases. The program will embrace the basic skills with a focus on fun and fitness, and ultimately give our student/athletes the opportunity to participate in C.H.A.M.P.S. sponsored city-wide showcases.

Flag Rugby Attracts A Mini-U.N. of NYC Students

Some 450 students, representing 32 elementary and middle schools, took the field in the second annual Mayor’s Cup of flag rugby at Columbia University’s Baker Field on June 6th.

This event, hosted by Play Rugby USA, featured a World Cup theme. Canterbury of New Zealand donated World Cup replica jerseys so students took the field representing 24 countries where rugby is a popular national sport.

At the start of the Mayor’s Cup final match of the day, I.S. 392, representing Romania, linked arm in arm and watched along with the crowd as their opponent, P.S. 279, representing New Zealand, performed the Haka, the traditional Maori war dance of the New Zealand rugby team.

The crowd was mesmerized and a massive roar of cheers and applause filled the stadium when they finished. Following an exhilarating and fast paced match, I.S. 392 emerged as the winner of the Mayor’s Cup. Other notable finishes included P.S./I.S. 218 from the Bronx taking home the Bowl award in the middle school division.

A notable addition to this year’s tournament was the free fitness and skill clinics offered by Velocity Sports throughout the second half of the day.

Students played 7-a-side rugby and were eventually divided into 3 brackets to compete for the cup, plate, and bowl awards. The participating C.H.A.M.P.S. schools represented a wide range of nations:

• X279- New Zealand
• M345- Spain
• X331- Ireland
• K259 - South Africa
• M169- Fiji
• K202- Uruguay
• Q286- England
• K392- Romania
• X241- Kenya
• M143- Tonga
• K113- Samoa
• Q178- Argentina
• X218- Japan
• Q010- Georgia

Congratulations to every player, coach, teacher and supporter that participated in this year’s event.

Check It Out	Flag Football is a hit with Queens girls... To encourage sustained physical activity among our students, the Department of Fitness & Health Education developed the C.H.A.M.P.S. Middle School Sports & Fitness League as an outgrowth of our physical education curriculum. In approximately 1,000 programs in 200 middle schools, the C.H.A.M.P.S. programs offer additional opportunities for students, regardless of athletic ability, to engage in a wide variety of physical activities, and to encourage these students to find activities that they enjoy and can participate in for life. The program promotes health-related fitness and sports skills that can be maintained long after school days are over. Additional goals include improving student self esteem, increasing students’ sense of school-connectedness (a protective factor for discouraging health-risk behaviors), and affording further opportunities for parental involvement. Flag football has developed into a large component of C.H.A.M.P.S., and with support from the NY Jets and the National Football League we have been able to expand from 20 flag football programs in October, 2007 to over 100 programs in 2009. Each program will be given the opportunity for teachers to attend coaching trainings, basic equipment for beginner programs, pre season clinics for student/athletes and invitations to participate in several city-wide flag football showcases. The program will embrace the basic skills with a focus on fun and fitness, and ultimately give our student/athletes the opportunity to participate in C.H.A.M.P.S. sponsored city-wide showcases. Flag Rugby Attracts A Mini-U.N. of NYC Students Some 450 students, representing 32 elementary and middle schools, took the field in the second annual Mayor’s Cup of flag rugby at Columbia University’s Baker Field on June 6th. This event, hosted by Play Rugby USA, featured a World Cup theme. Canterbury of New Zealand donated World Cup replica jerseys so students took the field representing 24 countries where rugby is a popular national sport. At the start of the Mayor’s Cup final match of the day, I.S. 392, representing Romania, linked arm in arm and watched along with the crowd as their opponent, P.S. 279, representing New Zealand, performed the Haka, the traditional Maori war dance of the New Zealand rugby team. The crowd was mesmerized and a massive roar of cheers and applause filled the stadium when they finished. Following an exhilarating and fast paced match, I.S. 392 emerged as the winner of the Mayor’s Cup. Other notable finishes included P.S./I.S. 218 from the Bronx taking home the Bowl award in the middle school division. A notable addition to this year’s tournament was the free fitness and skill clinics offered by Velocity Sports throughout the second half of the day. Students played 7-a-side rugby and were eventually divided into 3 brackets to compete for the cup, plate, and bowl awards. The participating C.H.A.M.P.S. schools represented a wide range of nations: • X279- New Zealand • M345- Spain • X331- Ireland • K259 - South Africa • M169- Fiji • K202- Uruguay • Q286- England • K392- Romania • X241- Kenya • M143- Tonga • K113- Samoa • Q178- Argentina • X218- Japan • Q010- Georgia Congratulations to every player, coach, teacher and supporter that participated in this year’s event.