More than 400 youngsters in the Bath area have been learning how to enjoy a healthy lifestyle – like their Bath Rugby heroes.

This season our education coaches have been delivering Tackling Health in local schools for the first time.

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.

Tackling Health is a Premiership Rugby programme, supported by Public Health England and in partnership with the Greggs Foundation, and is designed to embed physical literacy skills, increase understanding and build positive habits in learning at school.

So far, we have worked with 403 pupils in 12 schools, figures which should rise to 583/18 by the end of the school year.

We delivered healthy-eating sessions, including a “Bush Tucker” challenge to try some exciting new foods and designing and taste-testing a wrap for Bath Rugby player meals.  Our hands-on food sessions were followed by 45mins of tag rugby which culminates in an opportunity to play a game at Bath Rugby’s home ground The Rec.

Last month our first festival saw five schools bring 90 children to take part in a physical day of fun, tag rugby games and some competitive tag rugby matches.

Bath Rugby Foundation’s Education Manager, Jonno Wood, said: “The reaction from the children in our schools to Tackling Health has been great. The healthy diet and exercise messages have been taken on board by the youngsters and we are sure the Bush Tucker challenges will live long in the memory!

“Hosting so many young people at the Rec during the first Tackling Health Festival was one of the high points of the year for our team and we’re looking forward to many more days like this.”