Wigan clubs team up to tackle male obesity
Wigan’s great sporting institutions have teamed up to kick start the fight against excess weight and obesity.
Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors have come together as part of the Wigan Council and Inspiring healthy lifestyles ‘Lose Weight, Feel Great FOR MEN’ campaign to support weight loss through a selection of free 12 week fitness and nutrition programmes.
Latics legend Emmerson Boyce and Warriors’ director Kris Radlinski trained alongside participants to launch the programme on Friday (15 June), which offered a taste of the sessions that will be hosted each week at the DW Stadium.
Radlinski said: “The Men’s Weight Management service has provided a fantastic opportunity for Wigan Warriors to work alongside Wigan Athletic Community Trust, Wigan Council and Inspiring healthy lifestyles in what I’m sure will make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of men in the borough.
“The offer is the first of its kind in terms of the two major sports clubs in the borough working alongside public sector partners to deliver a joint outcome, and hopefully this partnership can continue to develop into a broad offer that is of great benefit to the health and wellbeing of the community”.
Boyce added: “This unique partnership between Latics and the Warriors is huge for the town of Wigan. The link will inspire men to take part and lose weight and also motivate them to lead healthier lifestyles by working with their two favourite sports clubs.”
Overweight men who live or work in Wigan can fight the fat through a selection of offerings, focusing on football, rugby, tracking technology, group fitness and nutrition.
The programmes are being offered by Wigan Council and Inspiring healthy lifestyles in partnership with Wigan Warriors Community Foundation and Wigan Athletic Community Trust, with options also coming from Leigh Centurions, Slimming World and MAN v FAT.
Wigan Council’s Director of Public Health, Professor Kate Ardern said: “Lose Weight, Feel Great FOR MEN is a unique weight management service, delivered by key local partners, which offers choice and support for local men to lose weight in a way that suits them and ultimately improve their health.
“The service is part of the wider ‘Lose Weight, Feel Great’ pathway which offers a range of support options for local people to take charge of their health.”
For more information text ‘FIT’ and your name to 87800, call 01942 496 496 or visit wigan.gov.uk/LWFG.
