Cats kick on with another year of Healthy Heroes

Geelong AFLW player Amy McDonald (right) and Cats players (from left) Gryan Miers, Mark Blicavs and Mitch Knevitt help launch this year's GMHBA Healthy Heroes program. Photo: FACEBOOK/GMHBA

THE Geelong Cats are hard at work off the field as well as on it, resuming their efforts supporting the GMHBA Healthy Heroes program this year.

Helping to empower children to make good choices about their health and wellbeing, the program focuses on positive behaviour change across the key areas of physical activity, healthy eating, screen time, hydration, sleep, and mental health with a suite of programs covering Foundation to Grade 6.

More than 40 primary schools across Geelong will benefit from the first round of the program, with ambassadors Tom Hawkins and Nina Morrison visiting students to run a series of workshops earlier this month.

A second round of sessions in June will see more than 20 additional schools enjoy the interactive lessons.

In 2022, more than 15,000 students engaged with Healthy Heroes in person and online, with teachers praising the opportunity for kids to learn in an engaging and interactive forum.

“The GMHBA Healthy Heroes is centred around healthy lifestyle and is one of the best education tools and programs for young kids,” Hawkins said.

“At Geelong, we always try and make an impact on the community, and with the GMHBA Healthy Heroes reaching over 5,000 students just shows how great the program is.

“As players, we love delivering the program at primary schools across the region and I can’t wait to see the program continue to expand in 2023.”

GMHBA chief executive officer David Greig said Healthy Heroes was an opportunity to teach kids about health and wellbeing in a fun way, while connecting them with their idols.

“We are proud to deliver Healthy Heroes in partnership with the Geelong Cats.

“We know the program can help develop long-term healthy habits. It’s about more than just helping students learn about staying well-nourished and active, it’s also about creating a healthier community.”

GMHBA Healthy Heroes is now in its seventh year, with plans to roll out the program more broadly as demand grows.

For more information, head to geelongcats.com.au/experience/community/resources/healthy-heroes