First launched in 2021, MOVE for Fun encourages children aged 6 to 12 years to enjoy movement as a social, engaging experience. By promoting active lifestyles early, it aims to help prevent future health issues such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, while supporting mental wellbeing. It initially set out to engage 20,000 children in vulnerable communities, starting in the United Kingdom, Poland and Argentina. Typically delivered in schools or community settings, MOVE for Fun activities are always play-based and inclusive, with a focus on teamwork and confidence.

An example of this is Primrose Hill Primary School in Ordsall, Salford, an area in the top 10% of the most deprived areas of England where poor health, child poverty and inadequate living environments are most prevalent. Central to their MOVE for Fun club is Dave Myring who has had a passionate interest in American football since he was first introduced to the sport through video games as a teenager. As former Physical Education lead at Primrose Hill he knew that something different needed to be offered to engage those children who were not catered for and from that, the non-contact version of American Football (flag football) was introduced.

Flag football is a low barrier activity where children are very active for most of the session and the main skills required are the ability to run, throw, catch, attack and defend. Sessions incorporate the rules of American football and children learn to work in teams using their simplified playbooks.

The MOVE For Fun sessions are open to all age groups and both boys and girls but clearly targeted at those who would benefit the most. Such is the motivation and enthusiasm for the sessions that the children attend very regularly and sustainability beyond the weekly sessions is achieved as some of the children are now attending more general flag football sessions in the evenings.

“As well as being a great opportunity to move and learn new skills, it gives young people the space to understand the impact the activity is having on them” says Dave Myring, “It promotes critical thinking as well as physical activity. These are skills that will enable young people to develop the mental side of sport as well as the physical side.”

This work has been supported by Novo Nordisk as part of the Cities for Better Health programme. Cities for Better Health is a Novo Nordisk‑initiated global public‑private partnership focused on improving health outcomes in urban settings through locally led prevention and health‑promotion initiatives.

MOVE For Fun is a global programme funded by Novo Nordisk and developed in partnership with the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA). It aims to encourage children from underserved communities to become more physically active, helping them become more confident, healthy and happy. For further information about MOVE For Fun click here.