Foundation staff work with youngsters across three areas: Education, inclusion and employability. 

Health underpins all programmes, as clearly demonstrated on the Tackling Health education programme.

Tackling Health is a Premiership Rugby programme, part funded by Public Health England and in partnership with the Greggs Foundation. It is designed to increase understanding in health and nutrition and build positive habits in learning at school.

According to government figures over a fifth of 4-5 year olds, one third of children aged 10-11 and two thirds of adults are currently overweight or obese.

Obesity tends to track into adulthood, so obese children are more likely to be become obese adults.  

We want to tackle this as early as possible and set our young people up for success.

The aim is for any child who graduates from the programme to feel armed with the nutrition and exercise knowledge they need to eat the right amount and move the right amount.

Since September Bath Rugby Foundation coaches have been delivering Tackling Health to children at nine primary schools across Bath and the surrounding area.

Sessions consist of classroom activities teaching participants about the food groups and how to have a healthy, balanced diet, before heading out on to the pitch for some tag rugby.

In total 245 children have been studying healthy lifestyles and taking part in an active session.

Bath Rugby Foundation’s Education Officer, Jonno Wood, said: “Tackling Health is a programme that is having a positive impact on young people at a key point in their education.

“We can see that over the weeks the positive messages about food and activity are getting through and the knock-on benefits, both in school and at home are important to development.”

For more information about Tackling Health contact [email protected]