Boxer helps spread word

INSPIRING . . . Olympic boxer Natasha Jonas with pupils at the Primary School Health Champions launch

OLYMPIC boxer Natasha Jonas was a knockout success at the launch of a new scheme to create an army of "champions" in the borough's primary schools.

She attended the first session of the new Health Champions programme which is getting Years 4 and 5 pupils to spread the message of healthy lifestyles - eating well and being active - to their classmates.

A total of 94 pupils from 43 schools who have been chosen to be health champions took part in the day-long event at Oldham Sports Centre.

It kicked off with an inspiring talk from Natasha, who was the first British woman to box at an Olympic Games when she competed at London 2012.

The youngsters took part in workshops to find out more about their roles and healthy lifestyles, and planned what they are going to do in school.

They talked to organisations such as Junior Parkrun - a series of weekly 2k runs for children in parks across the country - to find out more about the activities they could promote and took part in a Zumba class.

There were also workshops for school staff.

The Health Champions programme has been developed by Oldham Sports Development and Natasha said a healthy lifestyle should be a "way of life" for children from an early age. "I was always encouraged to be active from a young age and that has continued throughout my life. It's so important, especially now when we are going into what is almost an obesity crisis," she told the Oldham Chronicle.

"A lot of stuff at school is all about what your mates are doing. This is about positive peer pressure as your friends are probably your biggest influence at that age."

Natasha told pupils how she played football for Liverpool Ladies and the England under-19s team, and was on football scholarship at an American university when a knee injury forced her to give up the sport. But she took up boxing after she was spotted using a punchbag at her local gym and it was the start of a career which saw her make it to the quarter-finals at the London Olympics.

"I remember being a little girl and saying 'mum, I am going to be in the Olympics'. It took me 24 years to get there. Your dream might not be going to the Olympics, but whatever it is, if you work hard and never give up, anything is possible."

Two more Health Champions days will take place in June and October, and pupils will receive special badges.

Councillor Eddie Moores, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said the number of schools and pupils taking part had exceeded expectations.

He added: "It's really important that we get the message of healthy eating and exercise to children at a young age."

• Check out more picture of Natasha and the Primary School Health Champions.