Richmond Football Club's Aligned Leisure announce free access to combat teenage inactivity, obesity

Albury Wodonga Aquatic Facilities' Ben Tudhope said activity rates drop significantly after a Border teenager's 16^th birthday.

He said the transition into year 11 can be stressful and Aligned Leisure hope the initiative will encourage students to exercise at least once a week during the school year.

"Physical activity is proven to have a positive impact on the mind," he said.

"Aligned Leisure sees this initiative as a way to reduce feelings of the loneliness and isolation while keeping young people connected to their community."

Mr Tudhope said each student would receive a 40-visit health and fitness pass to attend the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre. 

They will also have access to the Albury Swim Centre, Lavington Swim Centre and WAVES Wodonga during the summer months.

Gateway Health's Kylie Gillison welcomed the moved.

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She said the National Health Survey found children and young people aged 5 to 17 years spend 136 minutes in screen-based activity, but only 91 minutes being physical.

The study found as the children age the amount of time spent on physical activity decreases, while the amount of screen time increases. 

"This is a great initiative by the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre as nine in 10 Australian young people don’t move enough," Ms Gillison said.

"It's really important for adolescents to be active as it improves their schooling, helps emotional and mental well-being, strengthens bones and muscles that are still developing, and reduces health risks such as chronic disease."

Catholic College Wodonga will participate in a pilot program throughout February, before the initiative is rolled out to all Border secondary schools from March. 

The school's principal Darta Hovey said year 10 was a critical year in a young person's development where they must make decisions about their future ambitions. 

Mr Horvey said the program would complement the school's PE, Health and Outdoor Education curriculum. 

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