Netball America Participating at President's Active Lifestyle Award Presentation

Washington, DC, May 18, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Netball America has announced that Dr. Jayne Greenberg [District Director of Physical Education and Health Literacy of Miami-Dade] has invited Netball America President Sonya Ottaway and American Idol Finalist, Michael Johns to attend the President’s Active Lifestyle Award (PALA +) presentation in Miami, Florida on May 22, 2012 for the “I Can Do It, You Can Do It” program. This is an initiative developed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Disability, and is a physical fitness/activity program that links mentors with students with disabilities. 1,200 students with disabilities will be attending the awards presentation.

The mentor provides training and guidance to assist children by becoming physically active by participating for 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 6 week intervals. Students with disabilities who complete the program receive the President’s Active Lifestyle Award patch and certificate. This program was designed to address the childhood obesity and type II diabetes also found in youth with disabilities who are more prone to be inactive. This event is associated with Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” Campaign and is supported by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.

“We are honored to participate in the President’s Active Lifestyle Award Presentation. As Netball is an all inclusive sport, it allows different skills, ages and abilities to be well catered for. Our introduction of Netball into Miami-Dade County Public Schools and to students with disabilities will dramatically increase inclusion in the community by helping break down barriers that have historically kept people with and without cognitive disabilities apart,” said Sonya Ottaway, President, Netball America.

Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition will also be attending to provide M-DCPS students with disabilities their Presidential Active Lifestyle Award. Michael Johns, American Idol Season 7 Finalist will entertain the students, Clara Blum, Executive Office, Kamani, will launch the wireless version of Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), and Sonya Ottaway, President, Netball America, will introduce the students to the fastest growing national sport of netball.

"I'm excited to support the President's Challenge Physical Activity, Nutrition and Fitness Awards. I truly believe people of all ages and abilities should be provided with opportunities to be educated on nutrition and to participate in physical activity. My participation in sports has opened up more doors for me than I could ever dream of," said Michael Johns.

The event will take place at Felix Varela Senior High School located at 15255 S.W. 96th Street, Miami, Florida 33196 from 11 am to 1 pm on May 22, 2012.

Netball America welcomes all Press and Media enquiries and presence at these events to help raise the profile of the President’s Active Lifestyle Award Initiative and Netball America. Contact: Sarah Wampler at marketing@netballamerica.com.

About Netball America Inc.
Netball America is the premier national Netball organization in the USA, is dedicated to the development and growth of Netball in the USA. We are focused on showing how Netball creates an exciting atmosphere of participation and supports individual progress while encouraging team unity. Netball America seeks to have Netball included as part of the core curriculum for educational systems throughout the USA as a way of promoting good health and aiding in the education of youth. Netball America is the National Governing Body for the 2012 World University Netball Championships and the 2013 World Netball Festival. Netball America is a not-for-profit (501c(3)) association and has members in 27 US States.