Premiership Rugby changing lives through healthy eating

Premiership Rugby and the Something to Chew on programme has been launched nationwide. Delivered by Premiership Rugby through all 12 of its clubs, the programme aims to encourage youngsters to lead a more active lifestyle and adopt a healthier diet.

 Using rugby as a hook, Premiership Rugby coaches aim to work with around 7,200 Key Stage 2 children each year and Sharon Hodgson MP believes Premiership Rugby's 600-plus players are uniquely positioned to help make the project a success:

"Something to Chew On is very innovative and for Premiership Rugby to have initiated this programme in over 120 schools in the most deprived parts of the country is fantastic," she said at the launch, at St Joseph's Catholic Junior School.

"The 12 Premiership clubs involved really need to be commended for the work they do, as do the players who give up their time to come into schools to work with these kids.

"The children's knowledge of diet and food will often be limited to the budget of their families. Unfortunately, it's sometimes cheaper to eat unhealthily and so these children need to learn about good nutrition.

"The behavioural change that will come from the Something to Chew On programme will help change the lives of the children involved. Teachers and parents can pass on a healthy eating message but when children hear it from sportspeople they'll never forget these lessons."

The programme, funded by The Supporters Club - BT Sport's charitable initiative, will help to educate children about the importance of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Public Health England has provided training to Premiership Rugby coaches, who will then give teachers the skills and resources to run Something to Chew On sessions in their schools.

Saracens and England centre Brad Barritt helped launch the nationwide rollout, and Simone Shepherd, Saracens Sport Development Manager says that an active lifestyle is important for all children:

"It's not necessarily about sport, but just being active doing things like walking or helping to wash the car," she said.

"We want to get to the crux of what a healthy diet is so we look at the different food groups that people should have in their diet. We also talk about the practical skills they need to make their own food.

"The kids really enjoy getting to find out about Saracens, the players, the different foods that they eat and why.

"All the games we play outside will be related to the healthy eating classroom session. Everybody is involved and moving so that they're not feeling left out - that's the whole point of rugby, it's a very inclusive sport."