Communities

Burnley helping schoolchildren stay healthy

5 Mar 2017
Burnley school sport session

How youngsters are being encouraged to keep active with Burnley FC in the Community

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Physical activity and healthy eating are vital tools for tackling childhood obesity.

In Lancashire, Burnley FC in the Community (BitC) are working with 60 schools and 5,000 schoolchildren every year to help them keep active and to teach them about nutrition through healthy eating workshops and the Premier League Primary Stars programme.

One school where Burnley are involved is Reedley Primary.

"It's about promoting an active lifestyle and getting that lifelong participation in sport," said Reedley headteacher Sarah Bell.

Liza Hussain is one Reedley pupil benefiting from BitC's works.

"We have been learning about keeping fit and healthy and about added sugars and what it does to your body," said Liza.

"We have learnt a lot, that keeping fit and healthy really could come in handy when you are playing badminton, football, or any type of sport."

Burnley's first-team players Sam Vokes and Scott Arfield saw the initiatives in action at Reedley Primary and joined a PE lesson, as well as answering questions on healthy eating from Year 5 and 6 pupils.

"When you have got someone like [BitC coach] Liam or players from Burnley, they talk to the children about their own experiences,” Bell told BBC Match of the Day for their Premier League community feature. "They are so inspired, it's fantastic."

See: Burnley FC in the Community

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