+Sport Move & Learn

ARGYLE Community Trust are one of eight clubs throughout the UK taking part in the +Sport Move and Learn Project.

The project focuses on valuable nutrition knowledge for youngsters aged 9-10 (Year 5) whilst giving them a chance to participate in football, handball and dodgeball. Seven Plymouth schools – Burraton, St George’s, Prince Rock, High Street, Shakespeare, Pennycross and St Germans – have already participated in the project and another nine are booked in.

Six children from each school have taken, or will be taking, part in a penalty shoot-out at Home Park during halftime of a first-team game. The participants are given an chance to invite a family member for a family day in our award-winning Family Zone for All where parents, teachers and children are able to take part in fun activities including 3v3 football, boxing, table tennis and much more.

The project is not just theory-based, with children taking part in practical sessions where they have been able to taste, feel and smell different types of food whilst meeting club chef Chris McGuigan, who talks about what the Argyle players eat daily. Chris said: “It is very important for children to learn about nutritional values at a young age so that they can carry this valuable information with them throughout their lives.”

First-team captain Curtis Nelson has also visited every school, joining in with the children’s sports and talking to them about his dietary needs.

A few children who have impressed with their attitude and football ability have been given the chance to progress into our development centres, whilst schools have opted into setting up after-school clubs where children can continue post-project involvement.

Project leader Stew Walbridge said: “The project has a real positive impact on young children’s lives and it is so rewarding to see the change in the children’s diet from week one to week six. Teachers from the schools have commented on how important it is for a professional football club to participate in the running of such a worthwhile subject, with the children more likely to take information on board from role models.”

If you have any questions that you wish to ask about the project feel free to email me on stewart.walbridge@pafc.co.uk.

For more information, contact Stewart Walbridge by email at stewart.walbridge@pafc.co.uk.