03 Nov Brighton & Hove Albion and Albion in the Community Receive Healthy Stadia Award
Seagulls Scoop Latest Award from Healthy Stadia
The European Healthy Stadia Network was very pleased to recognise the combined achievements of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club and Albion in the Community in contributing to the improvement of public health through presentation of a Healthy Stadia Award Plaque at the club’s match against Middlesborough FC on 18th October. This award recognises the wide array of health promoting policies and interventions run both on a match-day and in local communities which cover the lifestyle themes of increasing levels of physical activity, improving diet, promoting sensible levels of alcohol consumption and helping people to give up smoking.
The Seagulls and Albion in the Community applied for the award earlier this year after completing the Healthy Stadia Assessment process. Panel members from the Network assessing the application were extremely impressed with variety and high standard of stadium policies and community health projects, some of which stand as examples of best practice within the field such as the excellent active travel plan in operation at the Amex Stadium encouraging walking and cycling to the ground for both fans and members of staff. One of the standout community projects submitted in the application is the highly successful ‘Make a Change’ programme, a physical activity and healthy living project delivered by AITC to 15 schools nearest the stadium which has engaged with over 12,000 5-11 year olds in the last 5 years.
The Seagulls and Albion in the Community join the likes of Liverpool FC, Aviva Stadium (Dublin), Juventus Stadium (Turin), National Cycling Centre (Manchester) and SL Benfica (Lisbon) in receiving this award. Many congratulations go to all concerned at the club in delivering such a high standard of public health work on behalf of European Healthy Stadia Network.
