Local children from Ealing learned a whole new ball game as legendary NFL team Chicago Bears held an American Football masterclass to kick off their Mini Monsters tour across the UK.
Over 120 children from 12 different schools in the area attended the activity at Selborne Primary School on Monday. Former Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox helped to put on a session focused on healthy eating, physical activity and hydration through fun, non-contact American football drills.
Chicago Bears are one of the most successful teams in the history of American Football and have brought their Mini Monsters Clinics from Chicago to the United Kingdom for the very first time. With London the first stop, the 90-minute clinics will reach approximately 1,400 kids up and down the country on the nine-date Mini Monsters tour, brought to you by United Airlines.
The session at Selbourne Primary School saw children and young people of differing physical abilities and experiences of American Football take part in five NFL drills to learn and experience the sport for themselves. All those in attendance followed-up the session with star-struck t-shirt signing requests for Johnny Knox to take as a memento of the day.
Bears’ Manager of Youth Football & Community Programs Gustavo Silva commenting on the Mini Monsters Clinic in Ealing, said: “Today was fantastic. Seeing the children throw themselves into something new and having so much fun was great. Not only did they learn new skills but they learnt about hydration and healthy eating, which sets them up for life. We really had so much fun in Ealing and we hope to come back soon!”
The Bears are taking their Mini Monsters Clinics on an eight-stop tour from July 11th – 22th across the United Kingdom, which is now part of their International Home Marketing Area. Since this season’s program launched in April in the United States, more than 4,500 kids have participated in the 90-minute outdoor clinics, a fantastic achievement in helping to encourage active physical habits for young people.
Other locations that will be visited across the two weeks include: Bitterne & Chamberlayne Leisure Centre (Southampton), One Leisure St. Ives, Outdoor Centre (Cambridge), Wheelers Ln. and Castle Bromwich School (Birmingham), Deeside Leisure Centre (Flintshire), Belle Vue National, Speedway Stadium (Manchester), Toryglen Football Centre (Glasgow) and Leisure United (Sheffield).
