Great goals

A FOOTBALLING legend is helping pupils to learn how they can improve their health and achieve their goals – sporting or not. An innovative show, featuring Middlesbrough FC’s Craig Hignett, pictured, is touring sports clubs and primary schools in the region.

The Feel Great for Sport talk, developed by North-East physiotherapist Paul Gough coincides with a proposed Government initiative to ban take-away and fast-food outlets from setting up within 400 metres of schools, in an attempt to encourage a more healthy and active lifestyle for children.

“The talk that we do in primary schools focuses on the health benefits of sport and we really encourage the children to consider a healthy lifestyle and explain to them the benefits,” says Paul.

“We also highlight role models in sport, such as David Beckham and Rebecca Addlington, and we encourage the pupils to understand what it is about these sports stars that got them to the top of their game.”

He highlights a recent visit to Green Gates Primary School, in Redcar: “The pupils came up with answers such as hard work, dedication, practice and motivation and we then explained to them that these skills are needed to be the best in any of the careers that they might choose.

“The pupils talked about wanting to be actors, vets, firemen and, obviously, footballers and then they listened very attentively to Craig speak about what he had to do to get to be a premier league football star.

“Craig also talked about sacrifice and dedication and listening to his teachers and coaches, so the message is real positive one.”

The talk, which features interviews from top sports stars, has also been given the backing of Sky Sports pundit and former Middlesbrough FC player Chris “Kammy” Kamara.

Chris says: “I only got to achieve my ambition through hard work and dedication and taking advice from my teachers and coaches. I think that the message being passed on to youngsters by Feel Great for Sport is exactly what is needed to help launch a professional career in sport. I go back to my old school, St Pius Primary School, in Middlesbrough, regularly and the teachers there love the fact that I achieved my ambition. The teachers can tell their pupils that I used to sit where they are now and only with hard work and sacrifice I managed to achieve my goal of being a professional footballer.”

Paul says: “Kammy’s interview for our show is brilliant. He is a respected TV personality and was a top footballer and someone who the young sports stars of the North can really associate with as they watch him every weekend on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday.

“Kammy gives us his ‘Top Tip to Feel Great for Sport’ in a part of our show where we ask well-respected sports stars to pass on their advice to the youngsters.”

Green Gates Primary year 5 teacher Dinah Andrews adds: “On the back of the success of the Feel Great for Sport initiative, we asked Paul and Craig to speak to our year 5 and 6 pupils about the positive impact sport can have upon their lives.

“They discussed positive role models in sport and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and even recognising the dangers and pitfalls of drugs and cheating in sport. We were very proud of pupils, all of whom who were very interested in what Paul and Craig had to say. We hope it will have a positive impact on our pupils and the area of Redcar.”

Paul agrees: “We had great day with the pupils and we were very impressed with their concentration and attention levels that they gave us throughout the lesson. If we can use sport to make an impact on the lives of schoolchildren then it will very rewarding for both me and Craig and hopefully what we’re doing goes a little way to working with the Government and their new attempts to improve the health of the country’s schoolchildren.”

• For more information on Feel Great for Sport or to bring the talk to your school or club, visit paulgoughphyiso.com or call 01429-866771. You can also find Paul Gough Physio Rooms on Facebook and Twitter.