Hoops 4 Health
BiG Storage Cheshire Jets take the lead in delivering a Healthy Lifestyle Strategy to Local School Children 2008/2009 witnessed the return of BiG Storage’s commitment to their first sponsorship initiative when they became associated with Cheshire Jets last year.
As basketball grows in popularity, both as a spectator and participating sport, many of the teams in the league have taken a lead in promoting a healthy lifestyle in the community, starting at grass roots level by targeting primary school children in the local area.The ‘Hoops for Health’ programme was launched in Chester by the BiG Storage Cheshire Jets in September 2007 and was delivered to 16 primary schools in the area.
The success of the first phase of the scheme resulted in it being rolled out to further schools in Chester in January 2008 as well as being introduced to schools in Warrington at the same time. The programme has been so successful that in 2008/2009 BiG Storage Cheshire Jets delivered ‘Hoops for Health’ to 120 schools across Chester, Warrington, the Wirral and Flintshire. In 2009/10 further expansion will see the addition of East Cheshire schools including Macclesfield and Knutsford.
The major aim of the scheme is to deliver a healthy living programme through professional sporting role models, utilising basketball as an activity to communicate a range of positive health messages to young people in primary schools.The major focus of informative education and physical implementation includes:
- Healthy nutrition
- Smoking cessation
- The importance of keeping fit and it’s link to a healthy heart
- Alcohol management
- Physical fitness demonstrated through basketball – including coaching and the inclusion of a school team into a local basketball competition.
The programme concludes in May when the overall winner of the Chester final will progress to the national Hoops for Health final at The NIA in Birmingham to compete in front of 7,000+ basketball fans. Last year Hoole CE Primary School from Chester represented The Jets with distinction after reaching the semi finals, loosing to Greenwich who were the eventual winners.
Fronted with a professional delivery by key BiG Storage Cheshire Jets’ players, the scheme will ultimately be offered to all schools in the County.With health issues dominating the Government’s agenda, the ‘Hoops for Health’ programme is now working in partnership with the Cheshire Constabulary, Hoops for Health is also rapidly gaining the support of local Councils as well as Fire and Rescue Services.
