Issued by City of York Council
City of York Council is cheering on men to lace up their boots, and kick off their fitness at football sessions with York City coaches complete with a free health check.
York City in the Community and benenden health are backing nine council-run sessions which kick off on Wednesday 10 April from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at the new York Sports Village in Heslington and run weekly until Wednesday 5 June.
Sonja Crisp, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “Called City Masters, these sessions are aimed at men wanting to return to football to become more active and reach their recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week.
Older males generally have low participation in sport so Back to Boots will help boost their fitness levels with fun, 5-a-side football. The hour-long sessions will include skills lessons and small-sided games under the guidance of York Citys UEFA B coaches on brand new, low-impact, artificial grass pitches whatever the weather!”
York City in the Community, the arm of the city’s professional team which is active in and around York, wants to involve older participants in this programme. It will be based around players improving their fitness, getting in a friendly-paced game of football and all with the social benefits that team sports players enjoy.
The first taster session will be free and then the next eight sessions of quality coaching will cost £30. Participants can also sign up for a free health check offered by York Citys health and wellbeing partner benenden health in association with the Nuffield Health York Hospital.
Paula Stainton, Development Manager of York City in the Community, said: We are delighted to be working in conjunction with the council and benenden for this initiative. We genuinely want to contribute to the health and wellbeing of people in York. As a community team, we work very hard to deliver exciting sports programmes for all.
Lawrence Christensen, Marketing Director at benenden health said: “This is an excellent scheme which encourages men to improve their fitness levels by engaging in a fun sporting activity. We are thrilled to get involved and offer free health checks in partnership with Nuffield Health in order to help participants see the tangible benefits to their health of getting more active.
Well certainly be encouraging our own staff to get involved either by taking part themselves or getting their friends or family members to sign up!”
Depending on numbers signing up to play, the council will look at developing a Senior/Masters five-a-side football league, supported by North Riding County FA.
For more information and to reserve your place contact Catriona Sudlow, City of York Councils Physical Activity Officer, on (01904) 553377 or email [email protected].
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