Queens have been running our first ever SPFL sponsored 'Football Fans in Training' group (FFIT) over the last 12 weeks. Although the FFIT programme has been rolled out across several clubs over the last year or so, this was the first opportunity for Queens supporters to get involved. The programme has been run by Head of Community, Jim Thomson, with assistance from Eddie Warwick and has seen those who signed up undertake a 12 week programme of education and exercise. The education side of things has been provided by Karen Robertson, Sports Scientist for our neighbours Annan Athletic, whilst the funding provided for logbooks, programmes and individual pedometers for each participant. The club donated a free 12 week membership of the King George V gymnasium to everyone who took part and provided two hours of walking football at the KGV MUGA also.
The particpants, which was a mixed group of males and females, quite unusual in FFIT around the country we believe, and included two or three club staff, have entered into the spirit of things, encouraging one another along and setting up a Facebook Group to keep one another in touch with group events. In the end 17 out of 20 males successfully completed the course along with 16 out of 17 females. The success of the programme was obvious with the final numbers which saw the group collectively lose over 21 stones in weight and 133 inches off their waists.
The club would like to thank Karen Robertson in particular for her assistance and all the participants for their efforts. We hope to be able to run another FFIT programme for new members in the not to distant future. In the meantime, Tesco were good enough to provide the group with the equivalent of their weight loss in bags of sugar for a photo shoot which took place this evening. Thanks to them for that and well done everyone!
Some of the group along with Karen Robertson and Jim Thomson
A Group Selfie
Some of the team before tonight's session of Walking Football.