The Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit (C.A.C.T.U.S.) is an initiative that aims to build both leadership and responsibility in youth through a regular fitness programme.

This year, Kotaro Nagatsuka, Jethro Melville, and Harper Melville signed up to C.A.C.T.U.S. and have been attending fitness sessions from 6: 30 am to 7: 30 am in Balclutha Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the last seven weeks. They then had a shared breakfast with the other 17 participants. On Fridays this breakfast was a cooked one and students ate while listening to a local inspirational speaker. The programme concludes this Saturday with ‘The Longest Day’ where students will participate in fitness from 8 am, including towing a fire truck through the main street as part of the Christmas Parade, followed by their graduation ceremony at 2 pm.

Kotaro, Jethro, and Harper have really enjoyed their early morning fitness and being part of the C.A.C.T.U.S. programme.

Kotaro - ‘‘Through the Cactus program I became fitter and got used to waking up early in the morning. My favourite part was doing kickboxing. I would definitely join the program again if I were here.‘    

Jethro - ‘ Cactus was great I would definitely recommend it to anyone that would want to join next year. My favourite part was probably kickboxing because it was great fun‘

Harper - ‘One of the things I liked about Cactus is meeting people that are as involved in sport and fitness as me. I really enjoyed capture the flag, boxing, the ice bath, and the circuit training.‘

Glenys Hanley