The Swansea club’s Red Hot Chilli Porkers team, which has achieved two League titles and only two defeats in 33 matches, but, says team captain Martin Davies, more importantly strong long-term friendships have created a weight loss support system and an environment that players want to be a part of.
The team has currently achieved a combined loss of 122.1kg, or just over 19 stone. daily communication has been an important part of the team’s success, but that this can only happen if players feel part of the team.
“We all try and stay after the game and celebrate the result with each other, sometimes we meet up outside of MAN v FAT days for walks, meals or extra training. We have successfully managed to change both captain and vice-captain in all three seasons, and this has been a massive factor in driving the team forward and continually improving,” says Martin. “But most important is buying into the MAN v FAT system, where every team member has the drive to keep on losing weight, participating in all of the extra activities and turning up even when injured to weigh in and support the rest of the team.”
The highlight of the last year, says Martin, emerged from one of the hardest situations the team had to endure.
“In the space of two weeks, one of our players found out he was type two diabetic and then, a week later, suffered a heart attack. But this only made our team closer and with a lot of support and encouragement the player ended up staying with the team and continued with his MAN v FAT journey. That player came and weighed in every week, stood on the sideline and supported the team nearly every week, that player has now lost more than two stone in weight, and has managed to reverse his diabetes. To celebrate, the Red Hot Chilli porkers all chipped in and managed to raise £110 for the British Heart Foundation.”
MAN v FAT Football currently has 8,200 players taking part in more than 150 leagues across the UK. The programme was created by Andrew Shanahan, who, fed-up with traditional weight loss classes primarily aimed at women, decided to develop a programme that combines the beautiful game with achievable weight loss goals for men. The total amount of weight lost by MAN v FAT players in the UK currently stands at more than 650,000 pounds. It is aimed at men with a BMI of higher than 27.5.
Before matches, the players are weighed, which is followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side, with extra goal bonuses awarded to teams based on the amount of weight players have lost. Players receive additional support including healthy meal recipe ideas and tips on general fitness.
The winners of this year’s MAN v FAT awards will be announced at a special awards ceremony at the National Football Museum in Manchester on Saturday, June 1st.
The Swansea club meets on Tuesday evenings at Pure Football on Llayngefelach Road.
