Thursday, December 17, 2009

Quit and get match fit

Tower Hamlets women are leading the way to get match fit. The borough’s two women’s football clubs were the first in the country to take part in the Smokefree United Challenge that encourages footballers and fans to kick the habit.

Tower Hamlets WFC and East London Ladies faced the penalty-taking challenge on Wednesday at Mile End Stadium. The teams had to test their ball skills against a large Smokefree United goal board, having to score goals through a half-metre-wide circular hole from a twelve yard distance.

Councillor Rofique U Ahmed, Lead Member for Culture at Tower Hamlets, said: “We’re encouraging residents to live active and healthy lifestyles and that means quitting smoking. There are a host of health benefits, and it’s a great way to save money.

“I hope our residents that smoke sign up to Smokefree United to get the support that they need to quit.”

Tower Hamlets is the first stop for the six-foot high by eight-foot wide Smokefree United goal board, which will be going on tour around London clubs this December.

Smokefree United is a virtual club of quitters, that provides coaching and support to help football fans and players to stop smoking.

Captain of Tower Hamlets WFC, Lucy Mills, said: “We are proud to win the Challenge. We know that being part of a team, on and off the pitch, makes facing life’s challenges a lot easier and that’s why we think Smokefree United is a great idea!”

Danielle Towner, team manager of the East London Ladies said: “As athletes, we wanted to support Smokefree United to help spread the ‘stop smoking’ message. We do many events with women under the age of 16 to get them involved in football so that they have something positive to focus on. We’d like to think of ourselves as role models for younger women within the community.”

Football fans who would like to sign up to Smokefree United and improve their game will receive motivational emails and texts from football legend Ian Wright, enjoy banter in the Fanzone section and win incredible football prizes, like the chance to play at a Premier League club.

The campaign is supported by a number of London football clubs including: Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, QPR, Millwall FC and Charlton FC.

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