Delivered nationally by Newcastle Falcons and the Premiership Rugby clubs in primary schools which Greggs Foundation already has a relationship with through its Breakfast Club Programme, the Tackling Health programme is an interactive project for children aged seven to eight which takes a holistic approach to teaching children about their own health, wellbeing and about leading a healthy lifestyle with a rugby focus.

As a sport, rugby can offer playing opportunities and role models to children no matter what their ability or background and the interactive Tackling Health programme takes a rounded approach to teaching children about leading a healthy lifestyle.

The key aims of the project, which is also supported by Public Health England, are to improve young people’s understanding of what constitutes healthy eating and a healthy diet and to increase levels of physical activity.

Tracy Lynch, foundation manager, Greggs Foundation, said: “When organisations combine their ideas, resources and passion together they can often have greater impact than working on their own.

“Tackling Health is a fantastic example of how collaborative action can inspire organisations to achieve and sustain positive long-lasting impact.

“What started out as the delivery of a rugby focussed physical and health education programme in 15 of our Breakfast Club schools in the North East, in partnership with Newcastle Falcons, has developed into a nation-wide programme in partnership with Premiership Rugby.

“Thanks to their support the Tackling Health programme will offer thousands of children from our nation-wide Breakfast Clubs the opportunity to learn more about making healthier food choices and encourage them to get active through playing tag rugby.

“It has never been more important to support young people in leading healthier, more active lives. If children catch the exercise bug early enough they tend to stick with it, leading to a more generally active and healthy lifestyle and we are proud to be doing our part.”

Wayne Morris, community and corporate responsibility director, Premiership Rugby, added: “Almost one in three children leaving primary schools are now classed as overweight, which is a really scary number, and rugby is a really great sport as it’s suited to lots of different body shapes.

“We want to use the assets we have, such as the players as role models, the brands of the clubs, to get young people excited about being physically active and understand the food they are putting into their bodies.

“Tackling Health is a great partnership with the Greggs Foundation, which has a great history of delivering Breakfast Clubs at primary schools all across the country.

“Premiership Rugby also has a great history of making learning in a school environment fun for young people and when you put those two things together you get a fantastic programme like Tackling Health.

“It’s really going to make a difference to 30,000 young people across the country, improving their physical activity and their healthy eating.”

Key stats

• Current childhood obesity rates state that one in three children are obese or overweight by the time they leave primary school.

• Children growing up in low income households are more than twice as likely to be obese than those in high income households.

• Tackling Health is running across all Premiership Rugby clubs and 30,000 young people will benefit from the programme across the next two years

For more information and to download key Tackling Health resources visit [**www.premiershiprugby.com/tacklinghealth**][1] and for more information on the Greggs Foundation please visit [**www.greggsfoundation.org.uk**][2] .

[1]: http://www.premiershiprugby.com/tacklinghealth
[2]: http://www.greggsfoundation.org.uk