RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK —Be Active North Carolina and the Carolina RailHawks today announced the introduction of the “Soar With Swoops Challenge,” an area wide initiative to educate Triangle youth about the importance of regular physical activity and good nutrition. RailHawks goalkeeper Chris McClellan and defender Caleb Norkus and other RailHawks players, along with an assist from team mascot, SWOOPS, are visiting over 200 Triangle schools to challenge today’s youth to be the best they can be!

In Chris’ first season with the RailHawks he recorded 91 saves and 12 shutouts in 25 games and was a finalist for USL-1 Goalkeeper of the Year. This past year, his second season with the team, he led the League in games and minutes played starting all 30 regular season matches and recording 109 saves.  “I’m honored to be a part of such a great program with Be Active NC,” he said. “It allows us to reach out to our youth and provide positive role models in the community. It really makes us feel like we are making a difference in these children’s lives.”

Carolina RailHawks owner Brian Wellman agrees. “We are excited to partner with such a fine organization as Be Active North Carolina,” he said. “As we go forward as an organization this partnership will help us further our message of healthy living in the community while providing positive role models to our youth.”

In 2007, North Carolina had the 5th highest rate of overweight children in the country. “We're all united in wanting what is best for the children of North Carolina,” said Ben Blankenship, President and CEO of Be Active North Carolina. “Regular physical activity makes you strong. It makes you smart. And it can be a lot of fun!”

Nationally recognized for its work in physical activity, Be Active North Carolina knows the score. Studies have shown that physical activity is not only good for the body, but also for the mind. Physical activity:
    
•    Decreases the frequency of fatigue, mental tension and emotional outbursts;
•    Improves the capacity to learn by increasing cognition and recall; and
•    Improves self-esteem, acceptance of limitations and overall quality of life.

Carolina RailHawks’ mascot SWOOPS is challenging youth to get 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Students will track and record exercise points for:

•    15 minutes of moving, i.e. running, cycling and walking;
•    10 minutes of lifting yourself, i.e. pull-ups and push-ups; and
•    5 minutes of stretching

A completed 30-day score card with a parent or guardian’s signature can be turned in for one (1) Buy One, Get One Free coupon valid for any 2009 Carolina RailHawks’ USL-1 home match.

To learn more about the “Soar with Swoops” Challenge, get moving to: www.carolinarailhawks.com or www.beactivenc.org.


About the Carolina RailHawks
The Carolina RailHawks are a United Soccer Leagues expansion team that entered the USL First Division in April 2007. Its mission is to provide the highest quality family/sports entertainment conducted in an unbiased atmosphere at an economical and substantive value to the community, while serving as a positive role model at the highest possible professional standards. The RailHawks play their matches at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. For more information, visit www.carolinarailhawks.com.

About Be Active North Carolina, Inc.
Be Active North Carolina, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing physical activity levels and promoting healthy lifestyles among all North Carolinians. Since 1991, the organization has worked to increase public awareness of the effects of physical inactivity, build grassroots advocacy and volunteerism, create model statewide programs, and advocate for policies that reduce barriers and create opportunities for physical activity. Located just outside Research Triangle Park, it operates programs in each of the state’s 100 counties. To learn more about Be Active North Carolina and its programs please visit www.beactivenc.org.




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