Spirit continuing to prosper from steely partnership

A LONG-running program aimed at increasing the intake of healthy food by school-aged children in central Victoria and offering them advice on nutrition and lifestyle choices will again be expanded over the next twelve months.

The Fresh Fruit Fridays initiative is part of the McKern Steel Foundation’s aim to raise awareness of the benefits of healthy living.

It has traditionally benefited from the support of Bendigo’s WNBL and NBL 1 clubs – the Spirit and Braves.

The initiative is set to prosper further following the renewal and expansion of the partnership between the Spirit and Eaglehawk-based McKern Steel.

The new deal marks a significant milestone in community engagement and health education across the Bendigo region.

Currently, the Fresh Fruit Friday initiative delivers more 1000 kilograms of fresh fruit weekly to more than 13,000 students across local schools.

The renewed partnership will see Spirit players actively supporting the program by visiting schools and delivering curriculum-aligned presentations on healthy eating and nutrition.

Spirit general manager Dan Jackson said the collaboration would see Spirit player ambassadors deliver tailored sessions that align with school curriculum standards, ensuring students not only receive fresh produce but also gain valuable knowledge about nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices.

“This partnership is more than just a sponsorship – it’s a shared commitment to the wellbeing of our community,” he said.

“Fresh Fruit Fridays is a program that resonates deeply with our values, and having our players involved in educating kids about healthy choices is incredibly powerful.

“Michael McKern has been a long-time supporter of the Spirit, and it’s fantastic to see his vision continue to grow through this initiative.”

As an official club partner, McKern Steel is making its largest community investment to date, reinforcing its dedication to fostering healthier futures for young Australians.

McKern Steel managing director Michael McKern said the business was thrilled to deepen its partnership with the Spirit.

“Fresh Fruit Fridays has always been about giving kids the best start possible, and having Bendigo Spirit players involved brings a whole new level of engagement and inspiration,” said Mr McKern, a former Spirit board member.

“We have always supported Bendigo Spirit, having player ambassadors as part of our program in the early days, including Kelsey Griffin back in 2015.

“Kelsey was our original ambassador and played a key role in helping drive the club’s direction towards community involvement, so it’s great to connect again for positive impact to our program, as well as the financial support to the club.”

For more information on Fresh Fruit Fridays, visit mckern.net.au/celebrating-10-years-of-fresh-fruit-fridays.