Forest Feast has extended its partnership with Athletics Ireland to deliver a nationwide initiative aimed at helping young people aged 12-19 years old get fit and active.
This is the second big win for Athletics this autumn following the partnership formed with Glohealth around the Fit4Life programme run through clubs.
Forest Feast Fit4Youth will give young participants across Ireland access to a course of fun, interactive and educational running and fitness training sessions with expert guidance and coaching.
It should form part of an increased emphasis on the dangers of obesity among the young and positions Athletics to become a central part of any Government initiative covering pre-school through to late teens.
Progress
The Irish Sports Council annual sports monitor to be published tomorrow is expected to show progress in activity but there is much still to be done.
“Forest Feast Fit4Youth will foster a positive attitude to health and fitness that will become a life skill for those involved,” said John Foley, CEO of Athletics Ireland.
“The programme will instil an awareness of fitness and enjoyment of running over a set period of weeks, with the aim of building up to 5K through a ‘Learning to Run’ programme that is paced and carefully monitored, while increasing in incremental distances.”
The programme was trialled in Kilkenny earlier this year by former International athlete Geraldine Nolan in her local Kilkenny City Harriers club. It was then piloted in a number of clubs nationwide and the nationwide expansion has been made possible through the support of dried fruit and nut snack brand Forest Feast.
Partnership
“We are delighted to support Fit4Youth as part of our ongoing partnership with Athletics Ireland,” said Forest Feast Field Sales Manager Christine Whelan.
“Through the Forest Feast Little Athletics and Summer Camps, we have been encouraging very young children across Ireland to get active.”
“Fit4Youth will now set about reinforcing the importance of fitness with this slightly older age group. The idea is that children can progress from Little Athletics to Fit4Youth as they grow up.
“As children start to head into their teens and life often gets busier, it is so important they retain the good habit of building fitness into everyday life. A lot of adults could take inspiration from the energy and enthusiasm that young people put into fitness. By making it fun and enjoyable, it becomes an appealing way to spend time and the physical and mental benefits are huge.”
Individuals and athletics clubs can find out more about how to get involved with Forest Feast Fit4Youth by visiting www.athleticsireland.ie
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