‘Healthy Lifestyle', a joint initiative by City Football Schools, Al Bayt Mitwahid and Rashid Hospital, to reach more than 2,500 UAE primary school students this year
Programme to take place at public and private schools to educate youngsters on their overall wellbeing
City Football Schools, Al Bayt Mitwahid Association and Rashid Hospital, have today launched year two of the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ initiative, which teaches children the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle, now and throughout adulthood. The initiative currently has more than 1,000 students enrolled, with a further 1,500 expected to participate by June 2022.
Healthy Lifestyle, founded in February 2018 by City Football Schools and Rashid Hospital- Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of MHC ’s integrated network of healthcare providers - is being led by specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Rashid Hospitalphysicians. Together they will visit schools throughout the Emirates to deliver fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated. Furthermore, a female City Football Schools coach will join the delivery team to visit girls’ schools to give students private football coaching sessions alongside the Healthy Lifestyle lessons.
The initiative’s initial launch was aimed at Dubaiall boys’ and mixed schools, but with Al Bayt Mitwahid Association’s involvement in year two Healthy Lifestyle is set to expand across the country. Both boys and girls from government and private schools will be able to enrol in the much-anticipated activations.
The ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ initiative encourages students to monitor their sleep and food intake through an official booklet. The booklet sets students and their parents' challenges to help them become more active, gives tips on preparing healthy meals and snacks and asks them to write a letter to their ‘future self’ with a pledge to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Abdulla Al Neyadi, Board Member of Al Bayt Mitwahid stated: “At Al Bayt Mitwahid we continuously strive to provide UAE communities with first-class initiatives that encourage a healthy way of life and bring people together. Promoting healthy living and unity are key pillars of Al Bayt Mitwahid, and we are delighted to offer Healthy Lifestyle access to key local resources to expand the initiative. I’m immensely proud that we’ve helped Healthy Lifestyles grow from children to 2,500; It is imperative to ensure this initiative was made available to boys and girls from both private and government schools.”
Dr Mai Al Jaber, Medical Director at Rashid Hospitalsaid: “We are very proud to have been part of the success of the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ initiative for its first year, and it is rewarding to see it expand to more schools, enabling us to spread the message to more children. This initiative is a positive step toward reversing the growth of childhood obesity and making a healthier nation.
"The initiative succeeds because it excites children about being active, and about the need for positive nutrition and attitude habits. The campaign also recognizes that we need to educate parents, as well as children, to create lasting change.”
Simon Hewitt, Head of Football Operations at City Football Schools said: “We are delighted to be expanding the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ initiative in collaboration with Al Bayt Mitwahid Association and Rashid Hospital. With their help, our specially trained coaching staff will visit more than 35 schools and reach more than 2,500 children across the Emirates over the coming months.”
“Through the power of football, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ booklet and lessons encourage children to make good choices when it comes to eating right and getting enough sleep as well as instilling the benefits of living an active lifestyle, staying fit, healthy and having fun. They echo the ethos of Manchester City Football Club.”
This year’s edition is set to conclude with 10 Healthy Lifestyle students having the opportunity to travel to Manchester to watch Manchester City FC play in the English Premier League at the Etihad Stadium. The winning participants will be selected based on their performance in classroom activities, showing a deep understanding of the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle, and their progress in various football and fitness challenges. Overall, the initiative sets out to reward students for showing dedication to both the practical and theoretical sides of living a healthy lifestyle.
If you would like to find out more information about City Football Schools or ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ booklet, please email CFS.AbuDhabi@cityfootball.com.