World's First International Exergaming Tournament on Xbox 360 LIVE

    /24-7PressRelease/ - SOUTHAMPTON, UK, June 29, 2008 - On Monday 30th June school children from the USA and UK will be participating in a Pro Evolution Soccer tournament to highlight the new Gamercize Pro-Sport technology. The challenge of physical ability and skill will be contested without the need for Trans-Atlantic flights as the children will remain in their own countries competing using Xbox 360 consoles.

The tournament, that will be televised live, is being organised by fitness company Gamercize. Children from both countries will compete against each other on Xbox LIVE, using Gamercize exercise machines to maintain control over the computer players. If the children stop exercising while playing then their on screen players will temporarily freeze until they continue working out.

Children will be stepping up to take their turn in a live 5 minute match against their opposite number overseas. The tournament will be also be broadcast live via the internet while the children blog results and feedback live throughout the event to enable supporters worldwide to follow the action in real time.

Preparations for this world first video game console and exercise tournament have been well underway for a month, giving the chance for the 12-14 year old boys and girls to practice both their computer skills and train in preparation for the physical effort. The teams will introduce themselves to each other by releasing short videos via YouTube, Facebook and MySpace.

Team Gamercize UK is hosted by Derbyshire Sport, led by Competition Manager, Phil Basterfield who has been using Gamercize equipment in schools since the beginning of this year. The event takes place on the first day of National School Sport Week, in which Phil is heavily involved for intra-school and inter-school competition.

Team Gamercize USA is hosted by KickStart Fitness 4 Kids with ex-soccer coach and children's fitness expert Terry Grim leading. As part of the expanding international network of distribution KickStart has been appointed as the importer of the British Gamercize products to satisfy the overwhelming demand from the USA.

Gamercize Founder and CEO, Richard Coshott says "The event is the first of its kind and the kids are really excited to be representing their country. Console gaming will never be considered for the Olympics without physical effort, so we are turning the stereotype on it's head and turning existing video games into a brand new sport. Sooner or later "Sports Gaming" will become an Olympic discipline, although it is unlikely to make London in 2012. We are not replacing traditional sport we are adding to it, and more exercise is a good thing in the current climate of obesity"

About Gamercize: Gamercize, a British company behind world-wide patented electronic fitness accessories for PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation3, Wii, PS2, Xbox and Gamecube. The company aim is to encourage fitness through motivation and enjoyment, by innovation in technology. Gamercize is a member of the Fitness Industry Association. Its website is http://www.gamercize.net

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