From the Sidelines

NSSA ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Nantucket Student Soccer Association will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, in the Large Group Instruction Room at the high school. Changes to the bylaws will be considered for a vote of the membership present. All NSSA parents and other interested members of the public are invited to attend.

INDOOR SOCCER PROGRAM Space is still available for the NSSA indoor soccer program for grades two through eight. Call Linda Williams at 228-4556 or e-mail czarina@nantucket.net for further information.

HOCKEY REGISTRATION UNDERWAY Registration is now underway for winter men's and Rec. League hockey at Nantucket Ice. Men's league registration must be completed by Jan. 16, with play beginning Jan. 21. Rec. league registration must be completed by Jan. 18 and play begins Jan. 23. Anyone interested in sponsoring a team should contact the rink at 228- 2516.

HEALTH AND FITNESS COMPETITION KICKS OFF The Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation, best known for the Bay State Games, announces the fourth year of the Mass Shape Up program, presented by the Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts. Mass Shape Up is a health and fitness initiative for Massachusetts residents. This four month competition enables individuals to assess daily routines and find a healthier way to live. The aim of the program is to help participants stay on track to reaching their personal health and fitness goals.

As it has for the past three years, the competition consists of teams of two-to-ten people made up of co-workers, family members, or friends who are dedicated to health and wellness. Each team selects a captain who will be responsible for making sure all team members report their monthly progress, as well as distribute weekly tips and monthly newsletters from health and fitness experts from across the state. Teams compete against other Massachusetts residents in the following divisions: Weight loss (due to a healthy and appropriate diet), accumulated activity minutes or a combination of both. Improvements to the program for 2008 include: A new resource section with access to recipes, health links, exercise links, event lists, calorie counters, log charts and more; the ability to customize health news to specific areas of interest; and new resources and incentives to report weight loss and activity minutes.

The competition began Tuesday, Jan. 15, but registration will remain open for a short period to help accommodate late entries. Mass Shape Up will conclude Thursday, May 15.

For more information regarding Mass Shape Up including a list of all participating teams and to register, please www.massshapeup.org or call the Bay State

Games' office at (781) 932-6555. I