SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Three Yellowknife schools have been chosen to receive funding from the GNWT for the new Active After School program, which aims to get the territory's youth more active.

Monique Marinier is a teacher at J.H. Sissons school. She is also an organizer for after-school programs at the school, which was given $13,952 in funding from the GNWT for programs which aim to make youth more active. - NNSL file photo

J.H. Sissons School received $13,359, St. Joseph's $11,220, and William McDonald will be getting $13,952.

"Between (ages) three and five is a critical time for kids," said Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community affairs.

"Now more than before there are so many opportunities for kids to get in front of the T.V."

Eighteen schools or organizations throughout the territory were chosen for funding from the program. In order to qualify the schools had to demonstrate they are providing activities that appeal to inactive or under active youth and ensure the kids are active for a minimum of 40 out of every 60 minutes.

"The beauty of playing a sport with someone else is it not (only) has a physical benefit but a social benefit," said Paul Bennett, Principal for J.H. Sissons School.

"Once they get tapped into the social aspect of these activities it's pure joy."

J.H. Sissons has been offering after school programs for a few years with activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, badminton, floor hockey and soccer.

Teacher and organizer for after school activities, Monique Marinier said the new program is an excellent way to increase their equipment and improve their facilities.

"The whole purpose of the program is to get kids involved in physical activity and that's what we want to do."

With the funding from the new program the school hopes to get a climbing wall, start a yoga program and obtain a Nintendo Wii system with sports and fitness games.

Marinier said the new equipment will help draw students that wouldn't normally want to participate in physical activities.

She stated the importance of getting students involved with a sport that they could continue for the rest of their lives.

"If you don't get kids involved in sports at a young age they turn into obese and unhappy adults."