[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#f55549″ background_color=””]T[/mkdf_dropcaps]he Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has announced it has extended its partnership with Nestlé Australia for an extra 12 months.

The extended agreement will see the AIS continue their work with Nestlé on projects such as the Nestlé for Healthier Kids School Program, aimed at improving nutrition and health knowledge, promoting physical activity among school children.

Nestlé corporate programs and sponsorship manager, Rashna Shroff, said the program has been the partnerships’ most successful venture.

“Nestlé’s affiliation with the AIS is one of the strongest partnerships in our history,” Shroff said.

“Nestlé has worked with the AIS over the years on product development, research and brand marketing communications.

“However, the most successful venture together has been the Nestlé for Healthier Kids School Program.

“Combining Nestlé’s knowledge of health and nutrition with the AIS’s focus on high performance sport, we have created a program that will help to change the state of health of our next generation.

“Through the AIS, we aim to inspire kids with athletes, leading to an enjoyment and encouragement of physical activity,” she said.

AIS athlete ambassador for the Nestlé for Healthier Kids School Program, Hockeyroo Edwina Bone, said she understands the importance of encouraging children to eat well and be active, and is happy to be a part of the program.

“I wanted to be part of the Nestlé for Healthier Kids School Program as I feel that it is important to be able to pass on the knowledge that I’ve been given throughout my career to kids who can then benefit from a healthy lifestyle, whether it’s fuelling for playing sport or mental stimulus for achieving academic success,” Bone said.

“It is also great for teachers as it’s easy-to-follow lesson plans and worksheets are structured well and accessible for a range of ages,” she said.