It was the hottest day of the year so far on 19th July
2016 and I spent the morning back at primary school, with the Widnes Vikings
squad, outside in the sun. The purpose
of the morning was to launch Game Changer, an innovative project that has come from our CCG's work
with the Cheshire and Merseyside Women's and Children's Services Partnership
and with Widnes Vikings. The programme
works with children of a primary school age and was launched at Weston Primary
School. Game Changer has a specific
focus on using the power of sport to engage with the most deprived and
disadvantaged groups with a core focus on providing physical activity and
social engagement opportunities to those most at need. We are starting with rugby league but the
concept is replicable into any sporting arena.
The Game Changer programme aims to make children fitter
and healthier, promote inclusiveness and reduce isolation and increase mental
resilience. The specifics of delivery
are developed with each school and tailored to their needs but the main thrust
of the programme is to encourage children to be physically active for 8o
minutes each day and take up healthy options for food drink. By using the brand of the local sports club
and their players and coaching staff, in this case Widnes Vikings, this
increases engagement and the club is able to give something to the local
community.
Thanks very much to Weston Primary School for hosting the
launch of Game Changer, there were some very excited and engaged children
throughout the day. Thanks also to James
Rule, Chief Executive, Widnes Vikings and to Denis Betts, Head Coach, Widnes
Vikings and their coaching staff and players for their support for this
project.
Simon Banks
