The ‘Pars Tackle Health’ programme aims to promote positive attitudes towards good health and fitness in primary school children, using professional footballers as role models. It helps to consolidate the Learning Outcomes covered in Health & Wellbeing, throughout their Primary School education.
Two DAFC players and a coach from the Pars Foundation visit each participating primary school, accompanied by former schoolteachers, Gennaro Giudice and Sandy Wyse who coordinate the workshops and introduces the players.Lesson Outline:
1. Players describe a typical day in the life of a professional footballer, stressing the importance of a healthy diet, of drinking lots of water and of getting plenty of rest and sleep, as well as the benefits of regular physical exercise on health and wellbeing. A DVD may be used to show the players going through their daily training routines. The players also describe their match day preparations.
2. Q&A session, in which pupils are given the opportunity to ask the players questions relating to football and/or health and fitness.
3. Players and coach then take the class for a practical session, either in a games hall or outdoors. Players may demonstrate skills, which pupils can copy and practise, finishing with a small-sided game of football.
4. Pupils and players return to the classroom for a photo opportunity and autograph signings. Participating schools will be offered complimentary U-12 Season Tickets which can be used to accompany selected pupils to Pars home league games
5. Evaluation forms, to be completed and returned to DAFC, are issued to the class and their teacher.
6. Resources for follow up work are sent to the class teacher, immediately after the visit.
Feedback from a recent visit to Carnegie PS (Jan 2024)
I would like to say a huge thank you for visiting our classes at Carnegie. The teachers and pupils alike, thoroughly enjoyed the sessions immensely.
Your time and thought that was put into the planning and preparation of this was evident and very much appreciated. The delivery was seamless and professional, as usual.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to Kyle, Max and the coaches for giving up their precious time for our pupils. Their passion and dedication to the sport and Dunfermline Athletic were a true inspiration to the children.
I have attached some photos and completed evaluations. The House Captains collated the pupils` views in one document.
On a personal note, seeing the children`s faces light up in astonishment when Kyle Benedictus entered our classroom will always stay with me. Children often forget what they learn in school but never forget how they felt; this experience will be one that they will always remember.
Many thanks again and I hope to see you again next year!
Julie Munro
P7 Class Teacher
Carnegie PS
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My colleague and I would like to thank you so much for arranging our visit today. The active session in the hall, the input via the slides and the question and answer sessions with the players were excellent. The children were so engaged and both Liam and Chris described their role and the importance of a healthy lifestyle so well as professional athletes. We couldn’t believe Liam had never visited a school in this capacity before, as he responded so well to the questions. Liam and Chris also kindly signed autographs for the children afterwards.
Please pass on our thanks and appreciation. We look forward to another visit soon.
Thanks again,
Hilary Brown and Lucy Shields
Lynburn Primary School
Learning Outcomes
» Diet – healthy eating is important as it produces positive benefits throughout life.
» Physical Fitness – regular exercise is beneficial to all aspects of health and wellbeing.
» Teamwork – learning to work constructively with others is an important life skill.
» Motivation – the development of desire and focus is the key to success in any arena.
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