Two Blackburn Rovers players “delighted” pupils at a school after visiting earlier this month.
Andy Moran and Ben Chrisene took time out to visit Longshaw Community Junior School in Blackburn where they found out more about a scheme aimed at making sure the children are healthy and active.
The English Football League’s (EFL) Trust's Move and Learn programme is an initiative aimed at promoting child development through physical activity, nutrition, and education. The programme is delivered in partnership with the EFL and Ferrero.
The Move and Learn programme is targeted at primary school children aged nine to 10, with the aim of improving their health, cognitive function, social skills, and self-esteem.
Following the lesson in the classroom, where the students learned about the importance of staying hydrated, the duo joined in outside to play some active games with the players.
The afternoon was rounded off by a school assembly where the children had the chance to ask questions to the footballers about what it takes to be a professional athlete and role model.
Move and Learn lead Ben Howard said: “The EFL’s aim is for us to deliver this project to 60 classes each year and I am delighted to say we have exceeded this target for the past five years.
“It was fantastic to welcome the players to Longshaw and showcase the work we have done with the students this year as well as for the players to provide first-hand insight into the day-to-day life of a professional footballer which the children really bought into it.
“I would like to thank Longshaw Community Junior School for taking part this year with their three Year 5 classes and we look forward to working with them going forward."
Headteacher Jonathan Berry said: “We had a fantastic experience welcoming Andy and Ben to our school as part of the Move and Learn programme, which we have been running for quite some time now.
“The pupils were absolutely delighted to meet the players, and they gained a great deal from both their answers in the question and answer session as well, with the players joining in with the games [outside], which was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Blackburn Rovers is a family club who we have great links with, and the programme they deliver here has provided some magnificent outcomes for our students, so we look forward to welcoming their staff over the coming years.”
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