SA kids form first ever Mini Tour Cheer Squad

100 lucky South Australian kids will be able to join the inaugural ‘Bupa Mini Tour Cheer Squad’ this Sunday to help motivate their fellow friends to cross the finish line in the Bupa Mini Tour for Kids.

This fun initiative means that youngsters – aged six to 12 years old – who are demonstrating their cycling prowess in the Bupa Mini Tour for Kids will now be ‘officially’ supported by a new group of fans.

The first 100 kids to the Bupa Marquee on Sunday 22 January will receive a Mini Tour Cheer Squad kit to help them cheer on their brothers, sisters and friends in the race. This will include an official cheer squad t-shirt, as well as a healthy showbag continaing sunscreen, a cap, lip balm, a drink bottle and a wrist wallet.

Importantly, the Mini Tour Cheer Squad won’t be alone, given they’ll also be joined by the throngs of spectators preparing to help propel the winner of the final stage of the Santos Tour Down Under to victory several hours later.

Amber Halliday, Bupa’s Ambassador and former World Champion rower turned elite, cyclist believes the Cheer Squad will provide additional motivation and support to kids riding on Sunday.

“I think it’s fantastic that the Mini Tour Cheer Squad will involve all children, regardless of whether they’re on their bikes or supporting their mates from the stands,” Halliday said.

“And “I have no doubt this will help participants enjoy the event even more. There’s nothing quite like hearing shouts of encouragement to get you across that finish line and it’s refreshing to see that kids will be helping generate that excitement.”

Halliday went on to stress the importance of positive messages for children: “It’s important to get kids involved in living an active lifestyle from an early age. This will set them up with a healthy outlook for many years to come.”

A Bupa dietitian, Gemma Cosgriff, added that when children are fuelled well, they can participate in activities for longer and perform to their potential. Gemma’s top nutritional tips for kids ahead of the Bupa Mini Tour include:

• Healthy snacks, fast: Active children need energy regularly, and sometimes on the go. Having healthy snacks available is key – try pikelets, fruit scones, a wrap, fruit or a fruit smoothie!
• A, B, C, Dehydration: Children are less likely to ensure they are hydrated compared with adults, and can often reach for a drink when thirsty and when already dehydrated. Make sure they carry a water bottle as a regular sip-source, and for long periods of activity a sports drink may be useful.
• Feeding tired legs: To help with recovery, try to get quick-release energy into your junior athlete along with plenty of water. Fruit with custard or fruit juice, white bread jam/honey sandwich, pasta or rice with stir fry, salmon patties (made with potato) and salad.
• Healthy bones: Help the body move well by keeping up dairy intake every day – yoghurt, cheese and milk are nutritious foods to fuel young bodies and help with bone development through sport!

Bupa, a leading healthcare organisation in Australia, is committed to improving Australians’ health and wellbeing. For further information, including tips and advice for nutrition and fitness, please visit www.bupa.com.au

To find the best Bupa health insurance option for you and your family, you can either compare health insurance or get a health insurance quote online.

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