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A scheme to encourage young people across
Wigan Borough to think healthy and improve their physical well being is
proving to be a huge hit with local residents.
The Fit 4 Fun Academy is a physical activity referral programme
delivered by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust in partnership with Ashton,
Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust and Wigan Council. The team provide
activities for young people aged up to 17 who are overweight or are at
the risk of becoming overweight.
Children with low activity levels, or weight problems can be referred by
their parents, GPs or other health care professionals to any one of the
four different schemes under the Fit 4 Fun Academy.
So far over a hundred children of children have taken part in the
programme with over ninety per cent of those who completed the course
reporting that they feel fitter, have more confidence and have made new
friends.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Physical Activity Officer Sarah Killa
explained: “We have developed a range of activity and fun health
awareness sessions suitable to the needs of all children. Each session
is carefully structured to provide a non-competitive environment in
which children can enjoy fun physical activities, learn about healthy
eating and meet new friends.
“Fit Friendz is a twelve week programme which gives practical advice to
young people and their families on how to follow a healthy lifestyle.
Similarly, there is a new Girls Allowed programme aimed at girls aged 12
to 17, or the general Fit 4 Fun sessions that focus on enjoyable
physical activity for anyone aged 9 to 13.”
Adam Whittle, aged 13 from Bamfurlong, has been attending the sessions
for two years and has been inspired to take up coaching himself. Adam
said: “I really enjoy the sessions, I feel a lot fitter and I’ve learned
a lot about eating more healthy. I’ve also met new friends and feel more
confident. I would encourage anyone to come along and give it a go, my
coach David has really inspired me and I’m looking forward to coaching
myself soon.”
Adam’s mother Lynn said: “All the parents that come along are really
pleased with the programme. It’s great to see the way the children
support and encourage each other. The programme works because, as well
as the expert coaching, the children are all in the same boat and so
don’t feel intimidated by the activities.”
The success of the Fit 4 Fun Academy means that the scheme is now being
rolled out to younger children and young adults. New sessions for
‘Minis’ (children aged from 5 to 8) are due to start soon.
Sarah continued: “We believe we can help parents to ingrain good habits
into their children from an early age that will benefit them for years
to come. Everyone is welcome to these sessions. There is no obligation
to stay the whole course we would just like children to come along and
try them out for themselves. Those who have attended regularly have
found that they’ve felt a lot fitter and healthier.”
The Fit 4 Fun Academy takes place at various venues across the borough.
All children are entitled to a free consultation prior to starting a
course but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Each session
costs just £1.
The full timetable is:
Fit 4 Fun sessions (9 to 13 years) - Mondays at Rosebridge High School
at 5.30pm and Thursdays at Howe Bridge Sports Centre from 5.30pm
Minis (proposed sessions for 5 to 8 years) – Mondays at Abraham Guest
High School from 5pm; Wednesdays immediately after school at Golborne
Community Primary School; and Fridays at Lowton High School from 4.45pm.
Fit Friendz (9-13 years) – Tuesdays at Robin Park Sports Centre from
5.30pm
Girls Allowed (girls aged 14 - 17years) – Tuesdays at Robin Park Sports
Centre from 5pm and Wednesdays at Leigh Bedford High School from 3pm.
Also coming soon to Thursdays at Lowton High School from 5pm.
For further information about the Fit 4 Fun Academy contact the Fit 4
Fun Team on 01942 404985 or 01942 488488.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this press release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942
486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org.
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
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Adam Whittle with the Fit 4 Fun Team (back
l to r) Lauren Dobson and David Christie and (front l to r) Sarah Killa
and Janet Read |