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Topic Originator: GG Riva
Date: Thu 23 Apr 15:52
The Pars Tackle Health initiative is one strand of our club`s Schools Engagement Programme and is run under the auspices of The Pars Foundation. This season has seen it enjoy its most successful since its inception in 2014.
33 different Pars players visited 26 different primary schools in Dunfermline and the surrounding villages to engage with a total of 1320 upper primary children. The players` contributions are absolutely crucial to the success of these sessions. Every single player approached each visit enthusiastically and professionally, making them wonderful ambassadors for the Pars. A big thank you to all the players, to the manager for making them available, and to Gary Montignani for organising the player rota.
Thank you, too, to the Pars Foundation coaches who attended all the schools to set up the games sessions. Last but not least, thanks to Sandy Wyse and Derek Allan, for their professional and entertaining delivery and coordination of each weekly visit since last September
Not your average Sunday League player.
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Topic Originator: red-star-par
Date: Thu 23 Apr 15:58
Tell you what, thank you to the people that work behind the scenes to make this happen and the players for buying in to it. That`s some amount of young people to engage with, it`s work like this that will inspire the next generation of Pars fans and grow the fan base. Well done to all involved
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Topic Originator: buffy
Date: Thu 23 Apr 15:59
It’s magnificent for all concerned. So proud of our club for making something so important to our younger community so special too.
Yer a good lad, GG x
”Buffy’s Buns are the finest in Fife”, J. Spence 2019”
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Topic Originator: twin par
Date: Thu 23 Apr 17:17
Yes,first class effort from all involved.A fantastic programme.
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Topic Originator: LochgellyAlbert
Date: Thu 23 Apr 17:27
A great initiative, increasing the number of kids on the terracing!
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Topic Originator: Raymie the Legend
Date: Thu 23 Apr 17:43
Very well done to all involved. I’m sure the kids love what is a great initiative?
It`s bloody tough being a legend
Ron Atkinson - 1983
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Topic Originator: GG Riva
Date: Fri 24 Apr 06:48
Just to be clear, the Pars Tackle Health initiative aims to improve the health of local schoolchildren, using professional footballers as role models. The children learn that talent itself is not enough to become a top player, that it must be allied to health and fitness. They hear about the importance of a healthy diet, regular physical exercise, hydration, rest and sleep, and good relationships. This applies in all walks of life, of course. Children are encouraged to make good lifestyle choices to improve their chances of enjoying a long, happy, and healthy life.
If, as a result of these sessions, some children decide to become Pars fans, that`s a wee bonus for our club, but we don`t go out with the express aim of recruiting new fans. Back in early 2014, when I approached Ross McArthur with this idea, he was very enthusiastic. "When can you start?", he asked. Not until the following season, and several meetings with an area manager from Fife Council`s Education Department, as it turned out. It was very frustrating, but she wanted to be sure it wasn`t just a recruitment drive and made some very helpful suggestions about the content of these sessions.
Not your average Sunday League player.
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Topic Originator: SeasonedPar
Date: Fri 24 Apr 10:54
Incredible numbers. As GG says, it really engages youngsters and any new Pars fans a bonus.
Credit to Gennaro, Derek, Sandy. A lot of unpaid but worthwhile work. Also Wullie who runs a terrific day of improving literacy based around the Pars - “Pars Media Stars”.
We also work with local high schools on Business Management, and a new programme, “Count on the Pars”, practical maths, is fully booked to July. 9 terrific volunteers take that one. New website under construct with more details.
Feedback from teachers and pupils, even those who don’t like football, is always very positive. I remember a very young Andrew Tod on the stadium tour from primary school! (Can’t take any credit for his talent though!).
Thanks to the club for their support and to the Pars Foundation for coaches and funding for this latest one.
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Topic Originator: SeasonedPar
Date: Fri 24 Apr 13:08
Link here - can someone add the clicky things?
https://www.parsfoundation.co.uk/programmes/education-employability/schools-engagement/
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Topic Originator: CitizenPar
Date: Fri 24 Apr 13:12
An excellent initiative. Well done to all concerned.
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Topic Originator: SeasonedPar
Date: Fri 24 Apr 14:04
Thanks Lorna!
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Topic Originator: GG Riva
Date: Fri 24 Apr 14:50
To add to my previous post, I don`t believe the players visits to schools will in itself necessarily bring in new fans to the club. They need to come to a game(s) first and the Pars need to play well. I think this season`s cup run has certainly inspired some youngsters to support the Pars.
We normally finish the school visits at the end of March so that the squad can concentrate on the important games coming up at the business end of the season. This year, a school missed out on its booked date as it was closed due to a problem with the heating system, so we visited it on Monday. Sandy wasn`t available, so I came off the bench and took a class. Let`s say it`s a school where you would expect to find a good number of Celtic fans. Imagine my surprise when I asked for a show of hands and asked them their favourite team.
In a class of 30, we had;
Celtic -2
Pars -15
Rangers - 3!
Somebody explain that to me. 🤪
Not your average Sunday League player.
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Topic Originator: red-star-par
Date: Fri 24 Apr 17:53
Actually very good that they are getting some good role models in to explain the benefits of a healthy diet. Some wee kids you see these days are right fat wee b@ssas. If someone can encourage them to stop gouging out on Freddos, Mackie Ds and Coca-Cola (as their parents obviously aren`t bothered) then that would be a massive benefit for both them, the NHS and the amount of my tax money that goes on keeping these fatties.
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Topic Originator: Raymie the Legend
Date: Fri 24 Apr 20:17
You do make me chuckle, RSP. Saw a wee ( big ) lad in the Glen yesterday. Kids shouldn’t be that size at such a young age.
It`s bloody tough being a legend
Ron Atkinson - 1983
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Topic Originator: Parfect68
Date: Sat 25 Apr 07:35
Quote:
GG Riva, Fri 24 Apr 14:50
To add to my previous post, I don`t believe the players visits to schools will in itself necessarily bring in new fans to the club. They need to come to a game(s) first and the Pars need to play well. I think this season`s cup run has certainly inspired some youngsters to support the Pars.
We normally finish the school visits at the end of March so that the squad can concentrate on the important games coming up at the business end of the season. This year, a school missed out on its booked date as it was closed due to a problem with the heating system, so we visited it on Monday. Sandy wasn`t available, so I came off the bench and took a class. Let`s say it`s a school where you would expect to find a good number of Celtic fans. Imagine my surprise when I asked for a show of hands and asked them their favourite team.
In a class of 30, we had;
Celtic -2
Pars -15
Rangers - 3!
Somebody explain that to me. 🤪
Was my boy`s school and the kids had a great time GG. Brilliant initiative and can confirm there`s a fair few Pars season ticket holders in the two classes. Timing was great after the semi final!
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