Leisure centres lead battle to get kids fit

Weight management clubs are being run for eight to 17-year-olds at Rotherham's four flagship leisure centres.

The Carnegie Clubs involve weekly sessions lasting two hours. Parents take part in their own workshops to ensure healthy behaviour continues at home.

They are funded by NHS Rotherham and DC Leisure marketing manager Lisa Williams said: “They are ideal for children who just need help to achieve a healthy weight or can be part of continued support.”

Sessions take place at Aston, Maltby, Wath and Rotherham town centre from 5pm to 7pm in the week and at 10am to noon at weekends.

For further information and to book places, call Natalie Dunn on 01709 722567 or email [email protected].

Carnegie Club members can also take advantage of all-day sports and activities at the centres during the summer holidays.

Lisa said: “Each day is packed full with activities, including pool games, arts and crafts, circuits, snorkelling and football.

“The holiday activity programme runs every week day of the school holidays from 8am to 4pm, at all four centres. Contact or pop in to your nearest centre to find out more.”

Last week a study revealed that Rotherham kids were twice as likely to own a games console than ride a bike.

Fifteen per cent could not swim and one in four had never run further than 400 metres, steelmakers Tata found.