Strike a Balance uses the example of the diet of MCFC footballers to help young people realise that healthy food does not have to be boring.
The scholars Emerick Hippias, Conor Morrissey and George King visited St Margaret’s Mary in New Moston to help CITC deliver a session on healthy cooking.
Their visit was part of the Multiskills Lifestyle programme that the Under 18’s take part in – the course is designed to help equip the scholars with the tools required to deal with their lives as developing footballers.
As part of the programme the players spend one morning a month with CITC visiting a range of community projects including coaching disabled footballers, enterprise activities and healthy school projects.
Lisa Kimpton, CITC’s Healthy Schools Project Manager said: “It’s great that the academy lads are able to join us at Strike a Balance sessions.
“One of the aims of the project is to use the example of first team players like Joe Hart and Gareth Barry and their diets to inspire young people to try new food – so for them to meet potential first team players of the future is great and provides a real life example.”
Strike a Balance is a partnership between CITC, Manchester Healthy Schools and Manchester City Council that sees the community scheme offer a free five-week programme to 120 primary schools in Manchester.
The scheme will reach 3,600 young people a year and is aimed at 9-10 year olds and uses the example of the diet of MCFC footballers to help young people realise that healthy food does not have to be boring.
Each session covers a different area of healthy eating and is followed by a football session. Topics covered include:
The balance of good health
Why we eat what we eat
The importance of physical activity
Cooking healthy, balanced meals
Every school that takes part in the programme is invited to take part in a football tournament while every young person receives their own work folder and Strike a Balance apron.
For more information about the Strike a Balance Healthy Schools project please contact CITC’s Healthy Schools Project Manager Lisa Kimpton on 0161 438 7711 or e-mail lisa.kimpton@mcfc.co.uk.
