Olmstead visit supports Tackling Health with Greggs
Lock Evan Olmstead went back to school on Wednesday morning, as he visited New York Primary School in support of the Tackling Health with Greggs programme.
Running over the course of five weeks, the programme sees the Foundation head into primary schools to work with year 3 and 4 children and use professional rugby as a means of conveying the importance of a balanced diet and regular exercise.
During the current term, Tackling Health with Greggs will be taken into schools across Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland, while since its inception in 2015, the programme has reached in excess of 4,000 children with its mix of classroom and rugby sessions.
On Wednesday’s visit, the Canadian international first joined pupils in the classroom, where the lesson was introducing the importance of protein and calcium in a healthy balanced diet, before moving into one of the school’s sports halls to assist in rugby based games.
Olmstead’s visit drew to a close with the two classes combining for a question and answer session as the pupils took the opportunity to find out more about being a professional rugby player and the man himself.
It was a visit that generated plenty of excitement amongst the children with one telling teacher Mrs Bourne he got up “extra early” for school because of it.
Olmstead said: “It was really good to come down and visit New York Primary. The kids were really excited and enthusiastic in the lessons and in the games.
“It’s an important message the programme is trying to get across and if we can help as professional players by giving the kids an example to see and to ask questions, then that can only be a good thing.”
