Villa coaches children to health

The popular Villa Vitality initiative is now back, thanks to funding from the Premier League.

The healthy lifestyle scheme is open to all 9 and 10 year olds across Birmingham.

All aspects of learning around diet, nutrition and physical activity are on offer, as well sessions led by Aston Villa’s own community coaches and the chance to professionally film their experience.

The scheme is run through schools and is a three-day initiative that now takes place over a period of six weeks.

Pupils also take part in a classroom session about healthy eating, set themselves healthy lifestyle goals and are presented a certificate at the end of the programme to recognise their achievement.

Aston Villa coaches also visit to the school a few weeks later to see how the project is going, as well as run a further session with the children.

The school also returns to Villa for the cook in the community food academy, where children are able to prepare a healthy and nutritious lunch, and attend the ‘ICE GYM;’ a purpose built gym specifically for children.

Finally, children can film their own healthy lifestyle project in Aston Villa’s film studio.

So far the new style Villa Vitality is proving a big hit with teachers and pupils alike and has even received a visit from Government officials at the Department of Health!

Villa Vitality is a joint project originally created by Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT in partnership with Aston Villa Football Club. Birmingham East and North PCT and South Birmingham PCT have also now joined the initiative. If you are keen to find out more about Villa Vitality contact the tackling obesity team on 0121 224 4008.

The project is also covered in a community Change4Life video.