A NEW season of the MAN v FAT six-a-side football leagues in Solihull is getting under way throughout January, with interested players urged to sign up to the league with a difference.
When newcomers join the league, they are overweight or obese, playing alongside similar sized men to both cultivate their own fitness and aid those around them.
Players weigh-in before each game and weight losses are recorded, which accrue a bonus number of goals for each side going into their weekly matches – adding further incentive to lose weight and get fitter.
In recent years alone, Solihull players have lost an astonishing 1,638lb between them through joining the MAN v FAT leagues – the equivalent of 1,500 footballs.
Four leagues currently exist in the Solihull area, with venues at Fox Hollies Leisure Centre (B27 7NS), CTC Kingshurst on Cooks Lane (B37 6NU), Tudor Grange Leisure Centre (B91 1NB) and at Lode Heath School (B91 2HW), with just a £9.99 registration fee and games costing only £6 per week.
Andrew Robertson of the Tudor Grange League has lost 100lb since joining and has been vocal in his support for the scheme. He has urged more men to follow in his footsteps.
“I was the heaviest I’d ever been, which wasn’t good as I was diabetic and seriously unfit.
“My family were going on holiday and I was so embarrassed, even if I would only be taking off my shirt in front of strangers. I knew I needed to change,” he said.
“Now, I feel like I’m 20 years younger! I’ve gone from buying clothes in specialist shops to buying whatever I like off the shelf on the high street. It sounds like such a small thing, but it’s huge for someone who never had the choice before.”
Andrew also highlighted the camaraderie as a key incentive for joining, whilst the competitiveness of games and the support provided gave a much-needed boost to force himself into stepping up his drive to lose weight.
The Managing Director of MAN v FAT, Andrew Shanahan, exclaimed his delight at how much the leagues have provided opportunities for men to enjoy themselves whilst taking their weight loss struggles into their own hands.
“We’re so proud of what has been achieved in Solihull. To have lost that much weight requires real dedication and we’re proud to have been part of the journey.
“We have over 70 leagues across the country now and we are on a mission to support any man who isn’t happy with the state of his health.
“If readers want to get involved they can check out www.manvfatfootball.org for more information and to get involved – what have they got to lose?”
Call 0845 163 0042 or email [email protected].
