Beat the Street is an innovative physical activity initiative that inspires thousands of people to get moving by transforming local communities into a giant game. Running from Wednesday 13 September to Wednesday 1 November, Beat the Street will see schools, businesses, families and communities in Waterford, Dungarvan and Kilmacthomas compete to see who can walk, run, cycle or scoot the furthest.
Dozens of beeping and flashing sensors called Beat Boxes have been placed across Waterford which can be tapped with free Beat the Street cards which can be collected at your local library or leisure centre. Players can set up a team or join one of the many playing in Waterford and start earning points and prizes!
Speaking at the launch, Rosarie Kealy, Sports Co-ordinator with Waterford Sports Partnership, said ‘We are really excited to see the start of this unique community game which is a novel way of engaging people to walk and cycle around their communities. The intention is to help change behaviour by encouraging people to explore other areas and alternatives to how they travel in their communities and to and from work or school. It’s fun for children and families and the maps, resources and competition element help create targets for schools and community groups. We are lucky to be one of three areas chosen to pilot this initiative in Ireland and look forward to a fun and active seven weeks ahead.’
More than 600,000 worldwide have played Beat the Street with previous games taking place in Belfast, London and other towns and cities. Organisers behind the initiative are expected thousands of people in Waterford to pick up a fob or card and start playing over the course of the next seven weeks.
Beat the Street is run by Intelligent Health UK with support from Waterford Sports Partnership and is funded by Sport Ireland, Healthy Ireland, Dormant Accounts Fund and Waterford City & County Council. The aim of the initiative is to encourage people to explore, by walking, running or cycling, Waterford City and County with their friends and family and get more active together.
Eimear Cusack, Engagement Manager for Beat the Street, said: “We’ve seen lots of excitement building in schools, businesses and groups across Waterford, Dungarvan and Kilmacthomas in the past few weeks and so we are happy to see Beat the Street finally launch here in Waterford. With lots of prizes for teams and individuals to win there is no reason not to get involved.”
To find out more information about Beat the Street including where to pick up a Beat the Street card and map, visit www.beatthestreet.me/Waterford.
