Keep moving and have fun

By Gianni Francis

Aug 11, 2022

Ky Fit was created to help kids engage in physical activities.

KY FIT ISN’T YOUR TYPICAL GYM PROGRAM AND IT’S NOT JUST KIDS DOING LAPS AROUND THE LOCAL OVAL AFTER SCHOOL ON A THURSDAY EVENING.

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The kids who participate in Ky Fit are engaging in interesting and fun activities that are getting them excited about fitness.

In the past 12 months the kids got to participate in the Shepparton Mad Cow Mud Run; head to Torquay for a weekend of surfing, sea kayaking and mountain bike riding; and do their own colour runs.

Kyabram’s Senior Constable Mitchell Bull, who organises Ky Fit, started the group because there was a lack of opportunities for kids between Years 6 and 9 to be engaged in a community activity, and who were too young or lacked the means to commit to a sporting club or a gym.

“It gives the kids an opportunity to experience things that probably wasn't available to them outside of the program,” he said.

Each session is run by an independent trainer from the community and has at least one, if not more, local police officers taking part — sometimes with CFA or ambulance officers involved alongside other community mentors.

“It brings the community together a little bit; I've had local business owners that are pretty keen basketballers come down around basketball sessions,” Sen Constable Bull said.

“I've had several local gyms or personal trainers come down and run stations, and the Kyabram hospital gets involved.

“There's sort of a bit of a no ownership, so to speak.

“There's always somebody that's volunteering something to the program.

“So it is diverse and has a lot of community input in terms of what skills the community has and are willing to pass on to the younger people to help them build resilience.”

And they run the program at no cost to families, so financial pressure isn’t a barrier for kids.

In October, the Ky Fit kids will take part in their second Mad Cow Mud Run, with the aim of beating their previous records on the obstacle course. And in November, some of the kids will be heading to the Massive Murray Marathon for a four-day kayaking trip up the Murray River.

On Australia Day this year, Sen Constable Bull was recognised as Citizen of the Year for going above and beyond the call of duty in serving the community.

He has reinvigorated the Kyabram Blue Light Program and become a pioneer for youth engagement in Kyabram.

Since he became involved, the Blue Light Program has raised more than $80,000 in grants and donations, developed youth events, the Ky Fit program and even the construction of a gymnasium at Kyabram P-12 College.