The Lancashire football club tackling blokes' beer bellies with 5-a-side

Dr Trudi Deakin, CEO of X-Pert Health
-Credit:X-Pert Health


A Hyndburn football club has launched a new ‘Men v Fat’ programme to tackle men’s weight loss.

Great Harwood Rovers FC's free 12-week initiative is designed for men who want to participate in football – either by playing or volunteering – but feel they aren’t fit enough.

This scheme aims to support men who want to tackle their weight issues and improve their health, through helpful advice and encouragement in a social group.

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It is exclusively for men with a BMI of 27.5 or higher who are looking to enhance their physical and mental well-being.

The project will incorporate guidance from the X-PERT Weight and Wellbeing Programme, which features weekly 90-minute sessions focusing on food-related education and well-being.

MEN v FAT is a football-based programme exclusively for overweight men who want to lose weight. Players are rewarded not just for winning games but for losing weight too, with weekly weight loss progress counting towards team goals.

All levels of fitness are encouraged to take part. The programme is possible thanks to funding from Simonstone firm Fort Vale Engineering Ltd.

Nigel Sutton, the club's chairman, said: “This is a really great initiative, and so inclusive for people who think they’re not fit enough for football.

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“We’re really grateful to Fort Vale for providing the funds to enable us to make it free to participate, this could be life changing for the people who take part.

“We’re a really welcoming club, and look forward to seeing this group enjoying the classes and sessions!”

There are 20 free places available on the programme which takes place every Wednesday starting on January 29, from 6.15pm. You can message ghrfcnews@outlook.com to secure your place.

Great Harwood Rovers FC have been a fixture in the community since 1975 and recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.

The FA Charter Standard Community Club, based at the Townfield Mobility Arena on Harwood New Road, are run solely by volunteers for children’s grassroots football.

The club now comprises 27 teams for girls and boys ranging in age from under-sevens to under-18s, plus a Mini League for four to six-year-olds - with more than 350 active participants. You can visit their website here: www.ghrfc.com

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