The PANDS team including SHAPE, students from our courses and Jessica Stanley, journalist from the Channel Nine News at Panther Park, Noarlunga.

 

A healthy eating and physical activity program to improve the health of “football parents” has kicked off at South Adelaide Football Club as part of a pilot movement to build a stronger, happier football community.

The Physical Activity and Nutrition Down South program, known as ‘PANDS’, is being led by Dr Kathryn Jackson and SHAPE from Flinders University and will run in parallel with the 16-week training season for Under 18’s, Under 16’s and the new women’s team.

Six nutrition sessions are being developed by Taylah Niewdach, a final year dietetic student, with support from Kathryn Jackson and Louisa Matwiejczyk, Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Human Nutrition and for the combined degree (Bachelor Human Nutrition/Bachelor of Exercise Science). Participants and their partners or family can participate in the hands on sessions in the function room kitchen overlooking the oval and training sessions. Also assisting is the Head Chef from the club and students from the new courses. Interventions such as these are useful opportunities for students to gain first-hand experience working with the public. The research is partly funded through the City of Onkaparinga Development Grant and if the pilot is effective, there are plans to extend this program further.