Mark Ferguson encourages young people to get active as Junior Sports Star ambassador

Mark Ferguson’s fondest memories involve playing some sort of team sport with his mates. Now the Channel 7 anchor wants a new generation to put down the remote control and play a sport.

Mark Ferguson Channel 7 news reader at his favourite summer location , Hyde Park ,Sydney.Picture:Gregg Porteous

GROWING up in Tamworth some of the fondest memories Mark Ferguson has involve long days in the sun playing some sort of team sport with his mates.

Whether it be cricket, rugby league, swimming or just “running around chasing something”, the Seven News anchor said he was always active as a youngster.

That’s why it was a “no brainier” for him to take up a role as an ambassador of the Junior Sports Star awards, sponsored by Rebel.

“I have three boys who all play sport, sport plays a big part in my family life,” he said.

“It is wonderful to be a part of anything that encourages youngsters to put down the remote control and run around and chase each other.”

Scots College student Josh Stevens won the Wentworth Courier's Junior Sports Star Award for 2014.

Ferguson, 49, will be at Westfield Eastgardens between 11am and noon on Sunday to encourage young people to get involved in sport.

Ferguson will take part in a challenge to catch as many gold stars as possible in 30 seconds inside the NewsLocal Star Booth. He will be joined by last year’s Junior Sports Star, track and field competitor, Jessica Thornton.

On Sunday participants will be a challenged to try beat Ferguson’s score, and he doesn’t hold high hopes for himself.

“I was pretty fit a couple of years ago, I was running marathons and triathlons ... I was fit, but have to admit I have been very lazy for the last few months,” he said.

“I have no doubt that most of the young kids will show me up, but I’ll blame a dodgy shoulder and I am more than happy to come second more than once.”

Seven News is the major media partner of the Junior Sports Star.

Chifley's Jessican Thorton was last year’s Junior Sports Star Award winner.

DETAILS OF THE DAY:

Our NewsLocal stand will feature a “Star Challenge” air booth where participants have 30 seconds to collect as many gold stars as they can. Winners will be announced on the hour, with over $2400 worth of prizes provided by Rebel. The Star Challenge is open to anybody 8 years of age and over.

WHERE: Westfield Eastgardens, opposite Big W;

TIME: 9am-5pm Sat and 10am-5pm Sunday;

DATE: This Saturday and Sunday.

Newsreader Mark Ferguson outside the Seven Network headquarters at Pyrmont in Sydney.

HOW TO NOMINATE:


■ juniorsportsstar.com.au and follow the prompts

■ Nominations are open until October 23 for children between 10 and 16 years old

■ Finalists will be announced in November and winners in February next year

■ 7 News is the media partner. Fox Sports Pulse sponsors the Team Spirit award

■ Follow us on Facebook, or Twitter @Thewenty or #JuniorSportsStar