Back my bid to give obesity a beating!

By Pamela McGowan  
News & Star, Monday, 31 August 2009

A CUMBRIAN football coach is calling on schools and nurseries to back his bid to tackle childhood obesity by getting kids involved in the game from as young as two.

Scott Cormack, who runs Little Kickers soccer school, is already offering free taster sessions for toddlers in the Carlisle and Penrith area.

But he now wants to go one step further by securing funding to run regular classes for group of nursery, school and pre-school children.

Scott, who coaches Carlisle United’s under-14 side, was horrified by recent statistics which show that 6.9 per cent of the city’s four and five-year-olds are classed as obese.

And by the time they leave primary school this figure has shot up to 18 per cent.

In Eden the problem is even worse, with 10.1 per cent of reception age children classed as obese, rising to 21 per cent by the end of year 6.

That is why he wants schools, nurseries and toddler groups to get behind his bid to secure free football coaching for two to seven-year-olds.

Scott, who has previously coached in the USA, Malta and with Manchester United’s soccer schools, said getting involved in sport from such an early age helps prevent childhood obesity.

He said: “I have no doubt at all that it works. I have got kids who started out with me as toddlers, gone through it all and now love it so much all they want to do is get outside and kick a ball around. They don’t sit around in the house playing video games.”

Scott, 31, already runs the Little Kickers franchise for Cumbria, running regular paid-for classes for two to seven-year-olds at venues across north and south Cumbria and offering free taster sessions to schools.

But he wants to open them up to more youngsters by securing funding so he can offer them free of charge.

He is already in talks with the Cumbria Community Foundation and local councils and has had a positive response. But he needs to get schools, nurseries and toddler groups behind him before he can secure any cash.

Although his franchise is run as a business, he said this is a separate non-profit making venture to help tackle childhood obesity.

As well as himself, he has trained coaches around the county who could take the classes. Scott said any funding would simply cover the costs.

Crosby Day Nursery, in Crosby on Eden, has already expressed an interest and he already runs paid-for classes at Belah Community Centre in Carlisle, Warwick Bridge and at Penrith Leisure Centre.

“My goal would be to get as many schools and nurseries behind it so we can push for funding and get coaches out to them,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how good the kids are, it’s all about getting them active and them enjoying it.”

He added that the classes are aimed at girls and boys. It also helps them develop coordination, balance and social skills.

To find out more contact Scott on 01539 898195/07811 454377 or email scormack@littlekickers.co.uk.

PMcGowan@cngroup.co.uk

 

More News . . .