by David Chapman
Staff Writer
More than 2,000 workers from almost two dozen Jacksonville businesses will soon be trading in their suits and blouses for athletic shorts and sneakers when they participate in the 3rd annual YMCA First Coast Games beginning in July.
“The First Coast Games is our way of reaching out to the corporate community and organizing some fun events while spreading the message of being more active,” said Ray Purvis, executive director of the Yates Family YMCA and event director.
The event is split into two phases consisting of a 12-week Wellness Challenge and a 15-event competition.
Following a week long pre-screening process, small groups from each company in the Wellness Challenge will work with YMCA trainers and staff to improve their overall health factors such as weight, cholesterol and Body Mass Index. Whichever group improves the most will be awarded points toward the Games overall team score.
The competitive portion of the Games pits company against company in activities such as soccer, softball, flag football and swimming. Based on participants’ feedback, said Purvis, the organization has added new events to the 2008 slate to include bowling, a triathlon, recess day-style activities and track and field.
The overall winner of both phases receives the Corporate Cup – and the 2007 champs don’t intend to give it up.
“The other companies should be thinking about second place this year because we want to win it again,” said a half-joking, half-serious Steve Beard of Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Blue Cross Blue Shield has won the first two years. While it’s fun to win, said Beard, the games present a lot more to BCBS employees.
This year, Beard expects that several hundred employees will sign up.
“It gives employees a chance to mix it up with other companies and build on their teamwork,” he said. “There’s a competitive aspect involved, but it’s more important for everyone to get out and see good sportsmanship.”
Beard added that the Wellness Challenge along with promoting healthier activities is the most important aspect of the Games; especially as a health care provider.
The Games began in 2006 as a 10-team competition and evolved into 16 teams in 2007 and 24 teams this year.
“One of the wonderful things we saw from the beginning was the teambuilding atmosphere it presented,” said Purvis. “You had people from all different departments of companies interacting.”
One of the new companies involved this year is Fidelity National Information Services, the Jacksonville-based company that specializes in processing for financial institutions.
“We’re interested in getting employee wellness off the ground here and think an opportunity like this is great,” said Mike Oates, vice president of human resources for Fidelity. “It’s going to be a fun event for everyone involved.”
Oates isn’t a newcomer to the Games. His former company, Florida Rock, won last year’s rock climbing competition.
“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “I don’t think we’re going to have any problems filling our roster out with employees who want to participate.”
To keep teams on even playing fields, the Games were split into two factions – companies with fewer than 300 employees and those with more than 300.
“We do that to keep the competitive scale in balance,” said Purvis. “It was a hit last year so we’re going to do it again this year.”
Other businesses who have signed up this year include VyStar Credit Union, Shands Jacksonville, Duval County Public Schools, the City of Jacksonville, Harden & Associates and the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida.
The games officially begin July 19 and interested companies may still register through June.
To sign-up or for general information about the First Coast Games, go to www.ymcafirstcoast.com/games.
Competitive events schedule
Here’s a rundown of all the YMCA Corporate Games events with location and date.