Pupils at the Canewdon Endowed Primary (VC) C of E School, received certificates this week (16th July), after their final session with the Southend United’s Blues Bodycare Programme.

Delivered by the Football Club’s award winning Community & Educational Trust, in partnership with Rochford District Council, the Blues Bodycare Primary Schools Programme has been visiting eight different schools across the District to teach pupils the benefits of exercise and how to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle.

Beginning in 2007, the Blues Bodycare Programme has worked with thousands of children, young people and adults throughout south east Essex.

Pupils in the Rochford District have been participating in the Primary Schools Programme, which is a five week initiative linked to the school curriculum and with an Olympic feel. Each week, the children have been learning about important aspects of their health and well being, including how exercise affects the heart, breathing and how the body changes during exercise. Also included in the course is the importance of a balanced diet and the ability to identify muscles and understand how they work.

After presenting the children at Canewdon Primary School with their certificates, Graham King from Southend United’s Bodycare programme said: “It has been great to see the difference in the children over the five weeks, not only in their fitness levels – but also their knowledge of how to live a healthy and active life. The aim is always to make exercise fun, as well as give them little tips that hopefully will stay with them for many years to come”.