Leeds Rhinos Foundation and the Leeds Public Health are teaming up to promote healthy lifestyles to Rugby League supporters at the First Utility Super League game between Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR on Friday 22nd May.
Headingley Carnegie Stadium will become a one stop shop for fans of all ages to get advice and check-ups as part of a Healthy Lifestyles takeover. Services provided on the night include a Lifestyle Check for adults the opportunity to have a Heart Age Check, a Change for Life zone for young supporters, plus a Jamie’s Ministry of Food Leeds providing free samples of healthy food.
Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive, Gary Hetherington, has already led the way in getting behind the initiative by signing up to have a Health MOT and he is encouraging supporters attending the game to do the same.
Hetherington said:
“The Leeds Rhinos Foundation do fantastic work in educating people about healthy lifestyles through the projects they deliver across our community and this is the perfect way to spread that message even further to our fans attending a game. We are regularly told about the importance of eating healthily and doing physical activities but it’s often difficult to know how to get started and the best advice to follow so I am pleased we are able to work with Leeds Public Health on this initiative and I hope our supporters will find the services on offer helpful.”
In the build-up to the Health takeover game, Leeds Rhinos players and staff will also be getting on board and giving their insight during a special health week on the Leeds Rhinos Foundation website, where there will be stories on issues such as nutrition, getting active and health check-ups.
Leeds Rhinos Foundation, the official charity of Leeds Rhinos, will also be delivering special Healthy Living Assemblies in the schools they are working in during the Health Week and the children will design posters based on what they have learned which they will present during a parade at the game.
Speaking about the Healthy Lifestyles takeover activity planned for the game, Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Partnership Manager, Dan Busfield, said:
"Our charity is focussed on helping make Leeds a healthy city and we hope through the Healthy Lifestyles takeover game we can reach more people to give them guidance and support on positive health choices. Health concerns such as being overweight can have huge consequences on our lives such as problems sleeping, aches and pains, a loss of energy and confidence. It can also increase chances of suffering a stroke or getting heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
"Leeds Public Health does a fantastic job in tackling these issues and we are proud to support them. There will be advice on the night about nutrition, getting active and also a chance for people to get a health check with healthcare professionals.”
Emma Strachan a specialist working with Leeds City Council’s Public Health team, added: “We’re delighted to be working with the Rhinos to promote healthier lifestyles which can keep Rhinos fans in good shape to support the team for years to come! The lifestyle checks being offered at the match will be a good way to keep an eye on your health and we want anyone invited to take an NHS Health Check to make use of it. Your NHS Health Check can detect potential problems before they do real damage and the good news is that these conditions can often be prevented, so it really is something to put at the top of your ‘to do’ list.
“Among other things, blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI will all be checked at an NHS Health Check. The individual assessment of risks of developing health problems means you can get personalised advice on how ?to reduce it."
The video of the Health Takeover Launch is available below: