Powered by RAD Run Club
AMPSEA, in partnership with Healthy Kids Project, is proud to deliver the National School Mass Participation Initiative, supported by the Australian Sports Commission through the Play Well Affiliate Grant Program.
At the heart of the initiative is RAD Run Club — a free, inclusive, school-based participation system that enables children to run, jog or walk together before school, during school or as part of community-based activities.
Unlike one-off events or short-term programs, RAD Run Club operates week after week throughout the school year, helping children develop confidence, movement habits and a lifelong love of being active.
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A Year-Round Connection to Schools
Rather than engaging families only in the weeks leading up to an event, RAD Run Club provides a year-round connection with primary schools and thousands of children across Australia.
As students build their participation over time, local mass participation events become the "peak moments" of that journey — aspirational community experiences where children and their families can celebrate their achievements together.
A Genuine Participation Pathway
Schools become the foundation of regular participation, while Australia's mass participation events become the moments that inspire children to keep moving for life.
School
RAD Run Club runs week after week throughout the school year
RAD Run Club
Children build confidence, movement habits and a love of activity
Community Event
Local mass participation events become the peak moments of the journey
Lifelong Participation
Families celebrate achievements and keep moving for life
Play Well Schools Challenge
The bridge between year-round school participation and Australia's great mass participation events — recognising the two behaviours that create lifelong participation: Consistency and Personal Improvement.
How It Works
Each participating school is matched with a local AMPSEA member event.
The Challenge runs for four weeks, commencing six weeks before the event and concluding two weeks prior — giving families time to register and prepare for race day.
During the Challenge, students earn points:
Students are rewarded for turning up regularly and improving against themselves — not competing against others.
Event Rewards
At the conclusion of the Challenge, students earn real race entries to a mass participation event in their local community.
Students line up alongside thousands of adult participants at a genuine mass participation event — not a school fun run, but the real thing.
Every student who crosses the finish line earns the same finisher's medal as every other participant — a tangible reward for weeks of effort and commitment.
From Playground to Start Line
Children spend the school term building confidence, fitness and healthy habits through RAD Run Club — then celebrate their achievements at a local mass participation event alongside their friends and family.
It's more than a school challenge. It's the beginning of a lifelong participation journey.
RAD Run Club provides the year-round participation system
AMPSEA member events provide the peak moments that inspire children and families to keep moving
Be Part of This National Initiative
We're inviting AMPSEA member events and other mass participation event organisers to become part of this national initiative. Together, we can build a stronger participation ecosystem — one that connects schools, communities and events to inspire the next generation of active Australians.
Whether you're interested in any of the following, we'd love to hear from you:
- Partner with local schools in your event's community
- Create a Schools Challenge tied to your event
- Develop junior participation pathways and entry categories
- Become a pilot event for the national initiative