‘F.I.T.S’ or Footy Integrated Training Session, is an exercise program specifically designed for Aussie Rules Football players.
With many sports, including the AFL, interrupted this year by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Perth Integrated Football League, which Life Without Barriers is the proud Major Partner of, has come up with a great way to ensure their intellectually disabled playing group remains engaged and game-ready this season. ‘F.I.T.S’ or Footy Integrated Training Session, is an exercise program specifically designed for Aussie Rules Football players. The league sought exercise advice from the Heart Foundation to assist with the program, and the Perth Football League’s dedicated team set about putting together the sessions. The training sessions are designed to improve the players’ well-being and health-related fitness through getting them up and moving around, focusing on:
Strength
Endurance
Power
Flexibility
Agility
Balance
Mindfulness
To participate, the players use Facebook on a smartphone, tablet or laptop, and will need a chair, a footy or other ball and a drink bottle. Co-branded with Life Without Barriers, the fitness sessions run for around 30-45 minutes each and are delivered 2 times per week via Facebook Live on the Perth Football League Integrated page, so there is also an opportunity for players to connect, comment, like and share the sessions.
Image: Hayden M
Integrated Football Coordinator Hayden Marchetto instructs the training sessions to ensure players have a familiar face and voice to work out with. He said,
“We want the group to stay connected on a regular basis and we see F.I.T.S as the vehicle to help increase our community participation during this difficult time”.
What a great initiative! To check out F.I.T.S in action and maybe have a go at one of the training sessions yourself, grab your smart device, a chair, football and drink bottle and visit the Perth Integrated Football Facebook page or watch below.
