Cheshire FA has been working hard to improve the health and well-being of men across Cheshire.

After securing local funding we have been delivering a recreational football session for adult men in Northwich whose health and physical activity levels are affected by a range of conditions.  These include things such as mental health issues, medical conditions, social isolation, weight loss, homelessness, disability or similar. Men’s health sessions in other parts of Cheshire, specifically Stockport and Chester, are well attended and have seen significant social outcomes as a result of the provision.

We have worked closely with local organisations including ForViva’s Community Connect Workers, Victoria House, Workzone, GP’s and Social Prescriber Mental Health Workers to promote the session.  The session is currently delivered at Rudheath Leisure Centre and we have successfully delivered 16 weeks of the programme and now have an average of 16 players attending each week.  We are now in a position where we have enough disabled players to form an adult disability team in partnership with Witton Albion.    

Steve Harrison (pictured below) has been attending the session from its inception and is now being supported through his FA Level 1 qualification by Cheshire FA.  
Steve was diagnosed with kidney failure in 1992 and received a transplant in May 2016. 

Since then Steve has gone on to be a part of the Transplant Sport National Football Tournament winning team as well as winning a bronze medal for football at the British Transplant Games in 2018.   From this he has been selected to represent Great Britain in football and volleyball at this year’s World Transplant Games being held in Newcastle-Gateshead from 17th to 24th August.

Steve said ‘It’s a great honour to be chosen to represent GB but with this comes expectations of peak performance!  Thanks to the Cheshire FA Men’s Health football session, I have been able to play in an environment which is friendly, competitive, inclusive and considerate of people’s fitness and health issues; it is a valuable aspect of my training programme. Also through the programme I have been able to register to take my Level 1 football coaching so I can support others in the game.’

Daniel Landstrom, Disability Football Development Officer, said ‘It’s been a pleasure working with Steve and all the players at the Rudheath Men’s Health session.  It’s been more popular than anticipated and a huge success.  It’s been great to see so many different abilities playing together without any issues and another example of Football For All.  Thank you to the local councillors who have helped fund the initiative and make it possible.’