Following the Fleet Over 50s Walking Football squad’s first win in the Kent Walking Football League against Dover (a comprehensive 4-2 victory), the players were put through their paces at an event hosted by EUFC as part of Ebbsfleet Development Corporation’s and NHS England’s Healthy New Town Initiative.
First-team coach David Jupp and EUFC Sports Analyst Stuart Bauld provided participators in the Ebbsfleet Healthy New Town Digital Movement programme with 2 x core strength and cardio-vascular fitness sessions held in the Sponsors’ Lounge of the new Main Stand.
Unfortunately, a busy home fixture schedule and heavy rain meant the Fit-Bit Squad could not use the pitch at the Kuflink Stadium as originally planned, but our new facilities were ideal in providing the space for Juppy and Stuart to make over 30 participants break into a sweat.
The Fleet Over 50s Walking Football squad, admirably led by team coordinator Chris Judge, put real effort into the session and were singing the praises of Juppy’s vigorous CV session to myself and Kenny Clark as they relaxed over a pint in the bar afterwards! Chris said, “We are delighted to support the Ebbsfleet Garden City’s initiative. The Fit-Bits will monitor our performance, as we are all very keen to improve our overall fitness levels and to see the improvements.”
Ebbsfleet Healthy New Town Community Programme Manager Lorna Hughes was delighted by the turnout and success of the event. EDC Project Director, Kevin McGeough, was on hand to distribute the Fit-Bit monitors to the Walking Football squad (along with a mini-bottle of champagne to celebrate their first league win!), whose fitness performance will be monitored as part of the NHS England National project taking place across 10 Healthy New Towns, of which Ebbsfleet is the flagship and leading project.
More than 100 residents and workers in Ebbsfleet Garden City have so far joined and each is given a Fitbit which records their movements.
Data will not only help individuals monitor their fitness levels but will also enable the Healthy New Towns project team see which walking and cycling routes are being used, and if any improvements can be made as the Garden City develops.
To view a full gallery of photographs from the event, please click here.
To find out more about Healthy New Towns visit ebbsfleetdc.org.uk/healthynewtowns/
