2nd Active Fans Project meeting in Glasgow

In January 2018, EFDN in cooperation with Network members Fulham FC Foundation, Vitesse Betrokken, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Rangers FC Foundation, Ferencvaros TC, NEC Nijmegen, Feyenoord Rotterdam, KAA Gent and Valerenga Fotball started a new pan-European programme which will run until June 2020. The programme aims to develop a new European standard and methodology that uses football as a tool to reach men and women from 35 years and older who would like to get physically active again, make lifestyle changes and improve their diets.

In order to jointly develop a methodology and develop first strategies, from Tuesday 24th until Thursday 26th of April representatives of the different clubs, the SPFL Trust and EFDN will meet in Glasgow, Hampden Park, for a project meeting.

The project meeting aims at giving participating partner clubs the opportunity to introduce themselves and provide background information on their foundation’s health and well-being programmes. Certain partner clubs are already delivering fan active projects and are encouraged to share their experience and best practices. In recent years, several clubs and organisations in Europe have developed methodologies for programmes that are similar to the Active Fans approach, promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle for men and women that are 35 years and older. In Scotland the Fit Fans in Training methodology exists whereas Norwegian clubs are used to applying the Euro Fit strategy. To create a common framework, the EFDN Active Fans Programme will look to develop a common methodology that can be rolled out across Europe.

Coaches coming together in Glasgow to benefit from SPFL Trust’s experience

At the meeting in Glasgow, coaches of the clubs and foundations will come together to receive training from the SPFL Trust. The SPFL Trust, which also is a partner of the pan-European programme has extensive experience in the delivery and coordination of fan programmes.

The two-day seminar will focus on physical activity, healthy nutrition and changing behaviours. The coaches will receive information on the first phase of the Active Fans programme as how to welcome participants at the very first training session and in which way to collect data to analyse the impact that the programme has on the life of participants. In particular, attention will be paid to indicators as blood pressure.

Additionally, the SPFL Trust will focus on the topics of healthy nutrition and eating habits. Discussion about healthy eating will be held and the participants will take part in theoretical training sessions in which they will gain knowledge about diverse training methods that they can apply during Active Fans sessions.