Operation New Direction manager Rob Fitzpatrick said about 70 people attended the launch at Woodhaugh Gardens.
''It was semi-organised mayhem.''
The pilot programme exposed children, aged between 6 and 14, to physical activity and was a ''great'' success, he said.
The programme mentors at the event were mostly University of Otago students and several businesses gave healthy food for the children to eat, he said.
''It's all about giving these kids a healthier lifestyle and getting them away from junk food and towards some physical activity,'' Mr Fitzpatrick said.
Operation New Direction sports co-ordinator Max Baxter said the sports played on Saturday included frisbee golf, basketball, dodgeball, Rippa rugby, tug o' war, sack and egg-and-spoon races.
''We've got at-risk kids and they don't do so good at school. They often get sent out and this is a good way to get some self discipline.''
There were plans for more activities to be introduced at future events and other sports players would be invited to talk about their codes to the youth group, Miss Baxter said.
Marie Rakete-Gray, of Dunedin, said the day was ''heaps of fun''.
''The kids loved it,'' she said.
New Direction is supported by the New Zealand Police.
