Northampton Saints are eagerly anticipating the January lift-off of Premiership Rugby and the Movember Foundation’s ‘Move Like A Pro’ programme.
The partnership between Premiership Rugby and the Movember Foundation aims to help men who want to take the first steps towards getting in shape, both physically and mentally.
After Premiership Rugby, its clubs, players and fans helped raise more than £26,000 through its Movember drive last month, the MLAP programme will return in January with all 12 clubs participating following a successful 2016 pilot with five clubs – which included Northampton Saints.
A free to join 12-week programme designed by Premiership Rugby’s professional rugby coaches for men who are currently undertaking low levels of physical activity, Move Like A Pro is for men of all shapes and sizes aged between 30 and 55.
It offers both classroom and activity-based health interventions, including how to get fit, making a few changes to eat healthier and how to improve your mental wellbeing.
“We’re delighted to be teaming up with the Move Like A Pro scheme again in 2018,” said Connor Fleming, Saints’ Head of Community.
“We saw some hugely positive results with the men involved at Northampton earlier this year, and hopefully even more people will get involved this time around.
“Our biggest achiever lost 10kgs over the 12-week programme with us, and went on to lose 20kgs overall, but the success of Move Like A Pro was massive across the board and some of the other guys ran marathons and half marathons afterwards.
“We are looking forward to being involved in the New Year and to have the opportunity to work with our fans once again to promote healthy living.”
For the inaugural programme 95% of participants lost weight with a combined 563cm lost from their waists, and Premiership Rugby Community and CSR Director Wayne Morris can’t wait to hear more success stories in 2018.
“Move Like a Pro is all about helping men to be more active, eat a bit better and feel happier and healthier,” he said.
“The impact the pilot had was phenomenal, and I’m delighted that we can now extend the programme to all 12 of our clubs in partnership with the Movember Foundation. Whilst the programme has been designed by our coaches, you don’t have to be a rugby fan to join, and we won’t be putting anyone in a scrum!”
To get involved, sign up at https://www.premiershiprugby.com/movelikeapro/ and your nearest Premiership Rugby club will be in touch with details about the sessions.
John Owens, Development and Partnerships Director at the Movember Foundation said: “Move Like A Pro links directly to the Movember Foundation’s mission of stopping men dying too young, and we’re really pleased to be continuing to work with Premiership Rugby to help us achieve this.
“Physical activity is a key catalyst for improved mental health, and a reduction in weight also reduces risk of a number of diseases.
“The Move Like a Pro programme really did change men’s lives, and we know that not just the exercise, but the social connections built during the 12 weeks really played a part too. So we’re excited to see how it grows and develops from January next year with all clubs taking part.”
