£47,000 Active Canaries Children's health initiative launched

Football in the Community has recently been awarded a grant to the value of £47,900 to improve the health and fitness of children in Norwich and Thetford through a new exciting initiative called Active Canaries. 

The grant, which has been funded by the Football Foundation, will be used to run three health programmes.  The primary goal of Active Canaries is to increase participation in healthy activities, with the added benefit of furthering the participants' knowledge and understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. 

The first of these programmes is Sporty Tots, a scheme for children aged two to four years old.  The intention of Sporty Tots is to increase balance, coordination and self-confidence.  During their time on the course the children will learn basic movement and fundamental sports skills.  

Active Canaries will also play a key role in delivering healthy multi-skills sessions to children aged five to 11 years of age in 24 schools split equally between Norwich and Thetford.  A typical session consists of a variety of non-sport specific challenges designed to improve fundamental movement skills (running, jumping, walking) and the fundamentals of sport (throwing, catching, striking).

The third programme is the formation of two Active Canaries clubs located at the Football Development centre, Bowthorpe and Breckland Leisure Centre, Thetford.  The aim of the clubs is to provide a variety of sporting experiences to local children aged five to 13 years old.  

Dan Goffin, Football in the Community Health Development Officer said: "We are very thankful for the grant from the Football Foundation and the support of NHS Norfolk, without their support we would not be able to offer such far reaching programmes to the communities of Norwich and Thetford" 

If you would like to get involved with Active Canaries then please call the Football in the Community office on 01603 761122.