Bradford City and Bradford City Community Foundation will help supporters tackle their weight and get healthier with the launch of the Fit Bantams female cohort, next month.
This 13-week programme is the same as the Fit Bantams scheme launched this month - though will only be open to women.
Sessions will begin on Monday February 3, running from 7.00pm until 9.00pm at the Utilita Energy Stadium for 13 weeks.
Supported by 30 clubs in England, the EFL Trust’s FIT FANS programme will be powered by over £2.25 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England.
It aims to use the magnetism of football to tackle obesity levels in over 10,000 fans across the United Kingdom.
FIT FANS is one of a number of initiatives aimed at tackling lower physical activity participation rates among people living on low incomes, which is one of Sport England’s key priorities.
The programme shows individuals how to:
- Improve their eating habits by reducing portion sizes and swapping fatty and sugary foods for fruit, vegetables and high fibre-foods
- Achieve at least 45 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week. They receive weekly exercise sessions at their club for 12 weeks, and follow a personal pedometer-based walking programme that encourages them to fit physical activity into their daily lives
- Use tried and tested behaviour-change techniques to become more active and improve their diet. These include regular self-monitoring of their weight and pedometer step counts and setting SMART goals to make changes that can be sustained long term.
36.4 million people (61.4 per-cent of England’s population) live within 10 miles of an EFL ground, with four in 10 residents within this catchment area falling into the most-deprived population groups.
Sport England has identified lower physical activity participation rates among people living on low incomes which is why they have joined forces with the EFL Trust network to help people create a long-term healthy and active lifestyle.
In 2011/12, a large-scale, randomised, controlled trial study showed - 12 months after the programme - men had lost an average of 5 per-cent of their starting weight by making gradual practical changes to their physical activity and diet.
Ian Ormondroyd, chief executive of Bradford City Community Foundation, said: “We are excited to engage with fans and people of the city on this fantastic life-changing programme.
"We, as a club, find ourselves at the heart of the city and in a perfect position to make a long-lasting change.”
To find out more and join other FIT FANS near you, please CLICK HERE.