Chief praises public health engagement
A NATIONAL health chief has sent his support to Widnes Vikings after highlighting the club’s work in primary schools.
Duncan Selbie, Public Health England’s (PHE) chief executive, used his weekly Friday Message feature to showcase the club’s efforts being done alongside NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
The weekly message is distributed to thousands of NHS staff and partners and is published on the Department Of Health’s website.
A Vikings spokeswoman said that July was a ‘pivotal month’ for the club in terms of its work on children’s physical activity.
The new Game Changer project was launched at Weston Primary School in Runcorn.
The initiative, which will be delivered in 36 schools across Halton, aims to raise physical fitness levels in children aged six to nine through participation in a variety of fitness based programmes in school time while advocating key health messages to parents around healthy eating.
With the support of the Rugby Football League and Halton CCG, the club has led the creation of the Rugby League Vanguard.
It has brought all 11 Super League clubs together through a signed commitment with the focus on delivering targeted initiatives across the North of England.
The scheme will initially deliver projects which aim to tackle mental health and obesity and will involve the use of stadiums, players and club marketing channels.
Mr Selbie said: “I was impressed to hear this week that 11 Rugby League clubs have signed up to a new initiative from Halton Clinical Commissioning Group and local rugby league club Widnes Vikings.
“With regards to Game Changer, in Halton, in the North West, over 30% of primary school children are overweight or obese.
“The partnership, which will reach 36 schools across Halton in its first year, engages children in physical activity sessions, while also encouraging parents and teachers to be more active.
“This is public health in action.”
Widnes Vikings chief executive James Rule said: “Widnes Vikings recognise the immense power of our brand, players, staff and coaches to engage positively within the wider community of Halton.
“Our community programmes are the foundation stone on which our club is built.
“If we deliver consistently and positively to the residents of this region then we believe we will win their hearts and minds and they will become a part of the Widnes Vikings ‘One Club’ family.
“It is a huge honour to be recognised by Duncan Selbie. I would like to thank all of our stakeholders for the tireless work they do in supporting our community work.
“It is a privilege for us all to have received such high profile recognition and endorsement. What is even more exciting is that there is still so much more we can achieve.”