A PIONEERING programme to harness the influence rugby professionals can have on improving children's health and fitness has been hailed a success.

Game Changer sees Widnes Vikings' specialist community coaches work in 36 schools, promoting exercise, good nutrition and healthy lifestyles to almost 1,400 pupils.

The project aims to introduce exercise and healthy lifestyle choices into the daily curriculum of children aged six to eight.

Schools are committing to 80 minutes of activity per day, supported by a 24-week programme of targeted physical physical education sessions delivered by the Vikings.

By improving children's physical wellbeing, it encourages them to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours that they will sustain throughout their lives.

Independent research from Liverpool John Moores University has identified that after just one year the project has already achieved many improvements in pupils' performance.

Analysis showed “all of the children reporting that the sessions make them feel happy.”

Richard Munson, commercial and community director at Widnes Vikings, said: “Game Changer creatively uses the power of the Vikings brand, as well as the specialist skills of its community coaches and players, to inspire important changes in the lives of local children.

"The negative impact of obesity and physical inactivity in children is well documented, so this project aspires to make an important intervention by encouraging children to adopt positive habits whilst they are young.”

Further innovations lined up include introducing dance and movement skills as well as initiatives to support the health of employees in Halton schools.

Game Changer will also aims to promote positive mental health to ensure holistic improvements in student wellbeing, with the introduction a creative new project delivered by Widnes Vikings’ Co-Captain, Chris Houston.

Catherine McClennan, programme director for Improving Me, who commissioned the programme, said: “The Improving Me programme aims to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children across Cheshire and Merseyside through activity, social inclusion and education.

"At the heart of this effort in Halton is Game Changer. We have been delighted by the passion and enthusiasm from the children for the programme and to see the excellent results it has achieved.

"We'd like to thank the team at Widnes Vikings for their effective delivery of the project and look forward to continuing our partnership this year.”