Youth fitness in Canterbury: EMPOWER builds movement confidence, physical literacy and wellbeing in children, through the places they already go.
EMPOWER brings structured, age-appropriate movement and wellbeing learning to children in schools, after-school care and community settings across Canterbury.
Building healthy habits before problems begin.
Many children are growing up with less movement, more screen time and more pressure on their physical and emotional wellbeing. EMPOWER gives them the skills and the confidence to enjoy movement early, so it becomes something they do for life rather than something prescribed later.
It is not a sport programme and it is not about how children look. It is about physical literacy, emotional awareness and how to look after yourself, taught through guided movement.
Who EMPOWER is for
Children, through the people and places that bring EMPOWER to them.
Parents and caregivers
Families who want their child to build confidence, healthy habits and a positive relationship with movement.
Schools
Structured support around physical literacy, wellbeing and preventative health.
After-school care and clubs
A programme that is meaningful for children and straightforward for providers to host.
Community organisations
Youth organisations wanting a programme that can grow with them.
What children learn
- Move well: coordination, balance, strength foundations and safe movement habits.
- Feel strong: confidence, emotional awareness and resilience through challenge.
- Thrive together: teamwork, communication and respect for others.
- Look after themselves: warming up, resting, hydration, food that fuels them, and speaking up when something hurts.
Sessions are age-appropriate and structured, with a settling start, a movement skill block, a strength or game challenge, a wellbeing learning point and a reflective close.
How a session runs
Welcome and focus
A settling, focus-building start.
Movement skill block
Guided physical literacy and safe movement.
Strength or game
A strength, coordination or game-based challenge.
Learning and close
A wellbeing learning point and a reflective, confidence-building finish.
Getting involved
EMPOWER is launching its pilot, so the first step is to register interest.
Parents and caregivers
Register interest
Tell us about your child's age group and where you are, and we will be in touch about what is available.
Schools and after-school providers
Partner with EMPOWER
Bring EMPOWER to your school or programme, or talk through the pilot.
Clubs, funders and community partners
Collaborate
Partnership and funding conversations are welcome.
The first pilot
EMPOWER is launching its pilot in partnership with Busy Bumbles, a before and after-school care provider with 20 locations across the South Island. The pilot runs on Wednesday afternoons from 21 October to 25 November 2026 with 75 children across a 6-week block, and will measure attendance, engagement, movement confidence, wellbeing knowledge, and parent and staff feedback.
EMPOWER was designed by Molly Macpherson, a Level 4 Personal Trainer who is first aid certified, before partnering with Everest. Read the full programme on the EMPOWER page.
Keep exploring
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A short conversation will tell you more than another page will.
Register interestWhat is EMPOWER?
EMPOWER is Everest Group's youth development programme, designed to help children build physical confidence, emotional awareness and positive lifelong habits through structured movement and health education.
Where does EMPOWER run?
In schools, after-school care, community programmes and sports settings across Canterbury. The first pilot is with Busy Bumbles.
Is EMPOWER running yet?
EMPOWER is launching its pilot in partnership with Busy Bumbles, running Wednesday afternoons from 21 October to 25 November 2026.
How do I register interest?
Use the register interest form on the EMPOWER page or email jared@everest-pt.com, and tell us whether you are a parent, school, after-school provider, club or community organisation.
Are EMPOWER staff police vetted?
Yes. Everest staff are police vetted. Both coaches on the Everest team are also Level 4 Personal Trainers and first aid certified.
What will the pilot measure?
Attendance, engagement, movement confidence, wellbeing knowledge, parent feedback, staff feedback and delivery quality.
Are you ready to be EMPOWERED?
Move better. Feel stronger. Back yourself. It starts with one session.