Healthy goals for the city
As the rugby season draws to a close, one local team is planning to open its doors all year round to help Hull become a healthier place to live.
The last home match of Hull FC’s season (Hull FC v Leeds Rhinos) will coincide with the launch of a link up between the club and the city’s primary care trust, NHS Hull.
Hull and Healthy will see NHS Hull move into one of the KC Stadium’s ground floor suites to provide a range of community health services for local people.
These services will include help with weight management, stop smoking, alcohol support, health checks and general healthy lifestyle support.
Peter Brown, Assistant Director of Health Improvement for NHS Hull said:
“We are very excited to be linking up with such a high-profile club to promote and provide health services. The KC Stadium attracts thousands of visitors week in, week out, and these are often the groups that we as a health trust struggle to reach, such as men and young people.
“We are now going to have a base in one of the city’s most well-known venues. We can benefit from the club’s immense popularity with local people and hopefully offer fans the opportunity to improve their health as well as enjoy the odd rugby game!”
The launch will include a pre-match event involving current and past players/coaching staff, as well as showcasing some of the health services to be provided from the KC Stadium.
Half time will see ex-FC players take on NHS Hull’s Fit Fans in a game of touch rugby, as the game also marks the launch of “Fit Fans at Hull FC”. This follows successful Fit Fans weight management programmes at Hull City AFC and Hull KR.
Rob Ward is the Project Manager for the Fit Fans initiative and works with clients every week to help support local men through their weight loss. He said:
“In little over a year, Hull men have shed more than 5,000lbs of fat by adopting the habits of their sporting heroes.
“Now Hull FC is providing this opportunity for its valued supporters to train like the professionals at the KC Stadium too.”
James Rule is the chief executive of Hull FC. He says:
“This partnership will directly benefit our fans whilst also improving the health of the city as a whole.
“We are keen to work with NHS Hull to give our fans and the wider community the chance to benefit from the fantastic facilities at the KC and the health services on offer from the local NHS.
“It’s also a great opportunity for fans to get closer to their heroes, as our players will be getting involved with NHS Hull to help local people become fitter and healthier for life.”
Hull and Healthy at the KC Stadium has been developed as an alternative to the healthy living centre which was originally planned as part of the redevelopment of the Boulevard. After the site became unavailable, new plans to utilise existing space at the KC Stadium were drawn up to enable NHS Hull to begin delivering health services before the end of the year.
The scheme will run for a minimum of three years at a total cost of £400,000 to NHS Hull. This compares with a £700,000 investment over five years for the previous Boulevard proposal.
Hull FC v Leeds Rhinos takes place on Saturday 4th September at the KC Stadium (kick off 4.30pm). Fans will have an opportunity to preview the services available from the KC Stadium ahead of kick off (from 3.15pm onwards).
