Preston North End players Brad Potts and Ben Woodburn have attended a PNECET healthy eating workshop as part of a programme focused on developing life skills.
Preston North End Community and Education Trust’s (PNECET) National Citizen Service (NCS) programme saw the PNE midfielders help deliver the workshop as part of a scheme providing ‘unique opportunities’ for young people aged 15 to 17.
The scheme aims to develop young people’s ‘personal qualities’ and life skills by encouraging them to plan a social action project and participate in residential stays, adventurous outdoor activities, and educational workshops.
Read more: Penwortham football tournament honours Sam Pegram
The action occurred in front of the ITV Granada cameras, with Brad and Ben speaking after the event.
Brad said: “We’ve been helping the kids bake their pizzas and talking to them about our daily routine, our diet and nutrition, and the type of food we eat before games.
“Just trying to guide them and help them in terms of healthy eating, it’s been enjoyable. When I was younger, I didn’t really have that, so it’s good that we can now pass that on to the kids, and hopefully, they can learn from it.
“It’s good to have a balanced diet and get good foods into you, especially if wanting to play the sport yourself. It’s good that we’ve been able to interact and help them.
“It’s a big responsibility. I certainly didn’t have this when I was younger, so it’s a great experience. Hopefully, they can learn from it and maybe take it on in their lives.”
Read more: Hadley nets four as PNE Women breeze past Blackpool
More than 11,000 young people have completed the programme this summer, including 103 with PNECET. The most recent wave of participants was lucky to meet Potts and Woodburn at Deepdale.
The midfield pair helped participants in the kitchen, as they had to cook pizzas, but with the twist of adding healthy toppings.
Brad said: “I didn’t realise how important it was (eating healthily) when I was younger. When you’re a kid, you eat what you want. Don’t you?
“As I’ve got older, I’ve understood it’s massive, especially if trying to be a professional. That’s a large percentage of your fitness really, is where your nutrition comes from.”
Read more: Preston Grasshoppers rugby director steps down due to ‘personal reasons’
The players answered questions about their diets, the importance of staying fit and healthy, and how that affects their roles as professional footballers.
Ben added: “I enjoyed it, and I think the kids did too. We had a laugh, and it was good fun, definitely.
“They’re just asking a few questions about healthy eating, which is obviously really important for kids nowadays, to ask and see what we eat on a regular day.
“If they’re Preston fans or not, maybe they look up to us, and if we can give them some idea of healthy eating, hopefully, they can follow that and take that into their daily lifestyle.”
For more information, visit – https://www.pnefc.net/pnecet/community-engagement/national-citizen-service/
See what’s happening near you by entering your postcode below or visit InYourArea
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines