FA-endorsed scheme heading for Portsmouth
MAN v FAT Football – an FA-endorsed 14-week league exclusively for the 56 per cent of UK men who are overweight or obese – launches in Portsmouth on June 12.
Local men who want to tackle their weight issues now have the chance to join this incredibly successful weight loss league.
With 95 per cent of players losing weight and some shedding up to 70lbs, it is no wonder that the Football Association have officially endorsed the leagues.
Set up by Andrew Shanahan – who himself lost five stone and was fed-up with weight loss classes just for women – MAN v FAT combines football with easy to follow diet and lifestyle advice, as well as 24/7 online and offline support.
There is the traditional weigh-in, but this is followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side football.
Extra goal bonuses are awarded depending on the pounds lost by the players, so it becomes a real team effort.
Shanahan, managing Director of www.manvfat.com, said: “We're thrilled to offer this to men across the UK.
“We've seen that MAN v FAT Football can have an incredible impact on the health of our players with 95 per cent of them losing weight and 93 per cent reporting health improvements, from curing sleep apnoea to huge improvements in blood pressure and joint pain.
“Across 2016 our players lost more than seven tonnes in weight and we know that we’re going to smash that in 2017 with leagues like the one in Portsmouth”
Andy Dyke, national participation manager of recreational football at The FA, added: “Football doesn’t begin and end with the professional game – there are different levels and styles of football played throughout the UK.
“MAN v FAT Football is a brilliant initiative for anyone who wants to address their weight and start working their way back into playing football. The results of the leagues are extremely impressive and we are excited to see the impact this could have on men’s health across the country and around the world.
“You might be thinking that your footballing days are behind you, but MAN v FAT Football is a great bridge back into the national game. The FA are happy to back the scheme and suggest that players visit www.manvfat.com/football to get started.”
There are currently more than 20 million overweight and obese men in the UK, accounting for nearly seven out of every 10 men.
The issue of weight has become such a concern that a recent report suggested that the government should treat this as the number one public health concern.
Despite this, funding has been cut to local authorities and men are nearly 300 per cent less likely to get support for their weight than women.
Fortunately, with more leagues launching across the UK, men who want to lose weight and get back into football now have an opportunity to do something about it.
MAN v FAT are working in partnership with Pompey in the Community to bring the league to the local area.
It launches at Pompey in the Community (Anson Road) from June 12 and runs every Monday from 6.30pm-8.30pm for the following 14 weeks
It costs £9.99 to register, with games priced £6 per week. The only thing you have to lose is weight!
Players can join up at www.manvfat.com/football and can get more information by calling 0845 163 0042 or emailing football@manvfat.com