Fit for Life .
Former NBA player Jerome 'Junk Yard Dog' Williams leads a team against a squad of Earl Haig Secondary School students, alumni and staff during a Fit for Life program game at the school on Thursday. (Sept, 22, 2011)
Staff photo/CLARK KIM
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) All-Stars staff basketball team brought in a special guest player when they squared off against Earl Haig Secondary School students for a Hoops4Hope charity game Thursday, Sept. 22.
Former Toronto Raptor Jerome "JYD" Williams came to the North York high school playing alongside TDSB education director Chris Spence to help raise funds for Blessings in a Backpack, a program that feeds elementary students who may not have enough to eat on weekends.
"Right here in Toronto, one of three children are living in poverty," said Spence, addressing the 400 Earl Haig students who came to watch the game at their school gym at half-time.
"Can you help us in making poverty history in Toronto?"
Spence and Williams were also on hand to launch the new board-wide fitness campaign called Fit for Life, encouraging students from kindergarten to Grade 12 to participate in physically active events throughout the year.
With obesity a significant health risk for both adults and adolescents, Spence said he wanted to shine a light on the importance of having a healthy lifestyle.
Williams, acting as the ambassador for the Fit for Life program, agreed.
"Throughout my career, it was all about staying fit," said the former NBA player who played in Toronto from 2001 to 2003. "But it didn't start in college or the NBA. It started in elementary school, middle school and then high school."
He offered several tips to stay healthy including eating well, cardio exercise, resistance training, and keeping track of any progress made.
Earl Haig students Chris Roh, 17, and Justin Mao, 16, took the pointers to heart. Both plan to stay active by playing sports such as rugby, soccer and volleyball.
"And right now our school is cutting down on junk food," Chris said.
"In our vending machines, it's just juice, milk and vitamin water," Justin added.
While Williams was able to help students become more fit, he couldn't help his team win the basketball game.
The final score was 50-46 for Earl Haig.