Ibrox stars back school health and fitness drive

RANGERS hope to inspire kids at 30 schools across Glasgow to adopt a balanced diet and increase their amount of exercise.

Community coaches from the club are delivering lessons on nutrition and physical activity to nine and 10-year-olds this season.

Each class consists of a 45 minute session on healthy eating and 45 minutes of football.

Ibrox players Jamie Barjonas and Aidan Wilson visited Gowanbank Primary yesterday afternoon and held a question and answer session with pupils before they were then given a chance to show off their skills as the Gers stars joined them for a quick kickabout.

Jordan Boyd, Rangers Charity Foundation senior community executive, said: “It was great to have Jamie and Aidan along to Gowanbank Primary School.

“+Sport Move and Learn is all about trying to encourage future generations to embrace an active and balanced lifestyle.

“The two players are excellent role models for the pupils to look up to and they really drove home the link between football, education and health.”

The project is being run in association with Ferrero and the SPFL Trust and will involve 1,800 kids from across the city.

The Rangers Charity Foundation has raised more than £4.6 million since since its inception in 2002.

And Nicky Reid, the SPFL Trust chief executive officer, is pleased to have the backing of the Light Blues as the club continue to play their part in the community.

She said: “It’s wonderful to be able to showcase the great work Rangers are doing through +Sport Move and Learn.

“It’s a fantastic programme that really focuses on making healthy lifestyle choices – much like a professional footballer has to do.

“To have Jamie and Aidan here today at Gowanbank Primary School is not only really exciting for the pupils but also demonstrates the commitment that Rangers and the Rangers Charity Foundation has to their communities.

“They are on track to have delivered this project to almost 5,500 young people since the project began three years ago and we are delighted to be able to work with them to facilitate their programme delivery in Scotland.

“Once again Scottish football is trusted to deliver key outcomes at the heart of the communities they serve.”