Former AFL player James Podsiadly surprised by amount of kids enrolling in Healthy Kicks program

The desire to move has resulted in the Coles Healthy Kicks program booking out. Here’s how to get involved.

Former AFL player James Podsiadly said lockdowns have made Coles Healthy Kicks more important than ever. Picture: Matt Turner

Kids have been cooped up throughout multiple lockdowns and these school holidays they have the chance to run free again.

The desire to move has resulted in the Coles Healthy Kicks program booking out.

Former AFL player James Podsiadly was surprised by the uptake.

“Summer is usually our quiet season but we’ve had just over 3000 kids registered,” he said.

“We had about 12,000 kids booked in for the July school holidays last year, but Covid put a stop to that. We still executed the program for about 8000 kids and this year we’re targeting about 30,000 kids.”

Pearl, 5, Oscar, 8, Harrison, 5, former AFL player James Podsiadly, Grace, 8, and Ollie, 6. Picture: Jason Edwards

The incursion-based program for six – 12-year-olds is delivered through vacation care providers. It teaches kids about cooking healthy meals, the importance of mindfulness, encourages an active lifestyle and most of all, makes it fun.

“Off the back of the last couple of years, with kids being inactive and spending more time on screens, Coles Healthy Kicks is more important than ever,” Podsiadly said.

“The program is subconscious education. We’re not just sitting down and educating them, we’re trying to have fun with kids and teaching them through games so they absorb the message better.”

Podsiadly, is also the founder of AFL Max, which delivers the program and points out that Coles Healthy Kicks is for all kids, whether or not they’ve ever played football.

“This isn’t like an AFL skills participation program, it’s a health and physical literacy program that Coles, the AFL and ALF Max have come together to deliver,” he said.

James Podsiadly, former Crows and Geelong Player. Picture: Matt Turner

“What we know from a physical and mental health perspective is that being active goes beyond health benefits, for example, we know that active kids are more likely to do well at school.”

AFL general manager of commercial, Kylie Rogers, said “footy is the perfect vehicle to deliver an entertaining and educational program at a time when so many children have been isolating or social distancing”.

Coles chief marketing officer, Lisa Ronson, agreed.

“This program is focused on helping kids develop their independence and make healthy life choices. It’s designed to inspire them with fun exercises and wellness routines they can do in their homes,” she said.

“We’re proud to support Aussie kids, and hope they love Coles Healthy Kicks as much as we’ve loved creating it.”

To sign up for Coles Healthy Kicks visit aflmax.com.au/healthy-kicks/

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