A GROUP of men playing in a St Helens football team has beaten thousands of teams across the country to a coveted Team of The Year prize at a national health programme awards.

‘Check Yer Balls FC’ a team that participates at MAN v FAT Football St Helens were awarded the MAN v FAT Football Team of The Year prize.

The honour was presented at Manchester’s National Football Museum, by host, former Liverpool and England International, Neil Ruddock.

Losing weight

MAN v FAT Football is a national programme that helps overweight and obese men lose weight through weekly football and healthy lifestyle sessions.

At sessions, players are weighed, which is followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side football, with extra goal bonuses awarded to teams based on their weight loss.

A team’s total weight loss and match scores then contribute to their league position within a club.

Thousands of teams take part at 150 clubs across the UK.

Check Yer Balls FC have been recognised for an unbeaten season where the side’s fitness-focused team-mates lost an impressive 65kg between them, in addition to going unbeaten on the pitch, in matches against the club’s other sides.

The team also take part in weekly walk and talk outings together, as well as joint park runs.

Fundraising

The group also raised more than £1,200 for the OddBalls Foundation, an initiative that raises awareness of Testicular Cancer.

Richard Crick, head of MAN v FAT explains: “The guys from Check Yer Balls FC are the embodiment of the spirit and camaraderie that makes MAN v FAT so special.

"When you combine their unbeaten season on the pitch with tangible weight loss and the added health benefits that comes with shedding excess weight, they have genuinely achieved individually and as a group.”

“Outside of MAN v FAT sessions, they work as a team, encouraging each other to stay active and also raise money for fantastic charities while doing so.

"They set a glowing example to our members across the country and they are a credit to their club, coach and the programme at large.”

John Bilsborrow, MAN v FAT St Helens’ coach said: “We’re a fantastic weight loss-focused football club, full of like-minded players who transform off the pitch into a fantastic group of friends and a huge support bubble.

“As the coach of the club, I can offer you evidence-based nutritional and well-being guidance, strategies, and approaches for improving your health and shedding those unwanted pounds.”

MAN v FAT Football currently has 8,200 players taking part in more than 150 clubs across the UK, combining the beautiful game with achievable weight loss goals for men.

Aimed at men with a BMI of higher than 27.5.

How to find out more

The total amount of weight lost by MAN v FAT players in the UK currently stands at more than 650,000 pounds.

Find out more about MAN v FAT Football St Helens and sign-up, here: https://www.manvfatfootball.org/sthelens