World Sports Day Comes to Chicago

World Sports Day was held on Saturday, September 17. Hundreds of kids took part at Armour Square Park; the event provided the knowledge, resources and inspiration needed to build healthy lifestyles and ongoing sports involvement. Twenty-five different sports were introduced, and an entire area was focused on healthy eating where children and adults were invited to snack on healthy items while learning how to integrate healthy eating into their daily lives.

I wasn't able to attend this year but heard all about it from a good friend of mine, Tom Peroulas.

Mr. Peroulas, a father of three, says his kids, ages 3, 5 and 6, enjoy gymnastics, obstacle courses and rugby. “My 5-year-old son Simon woke up the next day and asked me to enroll him in Judo since he saw his sensei Brett at the World Sport Day."

There was also an area focused on healthy eating, where guests enjoyed nutritional snacks and beverages while learning easy ways to eat well in their daily lives. The Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Fire, Chicago Sky and the Chicago White Sox had promotional booths, mascots and alumni appearances and interactive sports clinics.

Mr. Peroulas, also the vice president of the Illinois Youth Rugby Association, spent much of his time introducing rugby to kids of all ages. Mr. Peroulas met his wife, Rebecca, while playing rugby in 2001 and since having children himself, he has been instrumental in bringing rugby to Chicago Public Schools' after school sports programs. “For the sports day, we structured our area into 4 stations, giving participants the chance to learn the fundamentals in a fun way, and experience playing the actual game. We accommodated all age ranges, from 1-16. Everyone got a great workout and had fun. Seeing everyone try a new sport or play a favorite was a lot of fun and I can’t wait for next year!”

I can't wait for next year either, when I hope to be able to bring my own kids. Keep an eye out for the announcement of the 2012 date at World Sport Chicago.

Tagged as: health and wellness and World Sports Day

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Christine Garcia is founder and president of Plan It PR, a public relations and marketing firm. She dishes tips and survival stories in “Play Dates and Power Lunches.” Ms. Garcia started working public relations after a long career in broadcast journalism, which included work as a television anchor, reporter and producer.