Swans Foundation celebrate first FIT Jacks expansion programme with over 100 participants
Swansea City AFC Foundation’s FIT Jacks has hosted it’s first celebration event following the programme's successful expansion into the wider community.
Over 100 participants completed the 12 weeks of sessions, and they joined the Foundation at the Swansea.com Stadium to mark their efforts, with participants in attendance from each of the five venues the initiative is delivered in.
When the FIT Jacks programme began, it was initially held once a week at the Swansea.com Stadium.
However, following the expansion of the programme, sessions have been held in Gorseinon, Cwmrhydyceirw, Morriston and Fforestfach, as well as continuing the session at the Swansea.com Stadium.
The expansion was made possible following a funding boost from Swansea Council, through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
Since it was launched, FIT Jacks has seen participants collectively lose approximately 200kg in weight and 130 inches around their waists.
“Seeing everyone from all the different venues in one room has been really special," said Robin O'Brien, health and wellbeing officer at Swansea City AFC Foundation.
“There's been lots of smiling faces and lots of people saying they will come onto our maintenance programmes, and the positive energy in the room has been brilliant.
“It’s like a pinch me moment, going out into communities and seeing so many new faces and more people knowing about the programme. It’s great to see how far we’ve come and this is just the start.
“I think it’s really important to celebrate the participants’ success because some people might downplay the fact they’ve completed the programme, but to us that is a really big thing and we hope it motivates them to continue their journey.
“One of the benefits of reaching out into the community is that we can work with people who we could have potentially missed, so long may this continue.”
Club ambassador Lee Trundle was on hand to offer inspiring words to the FIT Jacks graduates before presenting them with their certificates.
“It’s great, especially when you hear them speaking so positively about their experiences," added Trundle.
“All the stories are different in a way, but everyone’s getting the same benefits from the programme. It’s not just about your fitness, it’s about meeting new friends, changing your lifestyle and all of them have had a great time.
“We’ve been able to not just keep it at the stadium but to get out and go closer to people’s homes, because it is hard if you’ve had a day at work to then get ready and come to the stadium. Now we’re on their doorsteps, so it makes it much easier for people to come along.
“The longer it goes on the better because people can tell others about how much of a great time they’ve had on the programme. You can see on their faces now, compared to when they started, how much more confident they are within themselves.”
There are still spaces available for our next FIT Jacks groups, to find out more and book your place, click HERE.