HEALTHY LIVING FOR KIDS

TAustralian children aged six to 12 to embrace healthy eating, mindfulness and exercise.

Starting in 2020, Coles Healthy Kicks is in its fourth year engaging with kids through fun fitness, healthy food education and engaging games and is delivered during the school holidays at vacation care centres and schools nationwide.

Coles and the AFL have partnered with several superstar AFL and AFLW Ambassadors to bring the Coles Healthy Kicks program to life, including the Brisbane’s Lions’ Josh Dunkley and Ruby Svarc, Essendon’s Maddy Prespakis, Collingwood’s Sabrina Frederick, St Kilda’s Steph Chiocci, Carlton’s Patrick Cripps and Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield.

The Cats skipper is one of the best players of the modern era due to his ability to explode from stoppages while also having the capacity to hit the scoreboard. With his explosive acceleration, Dangerfield is one of the strongest and most powerful players in the game today.

Dangerfield’s decorated career includes a stellar season in 2016 when he won the Brownlow Medal, the AFLPA Most Valuable Player and the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award, while he more recently guided Geelong to the 2022 AFL premiership.

What healthy foods did you love as a kid?

u I have always been a lover of fruit, especially apples. Red or green, it doesn’t matter – apples were and still are my favourite food. You know what they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

What is your favourite healthy food now?

u Funnily enough, apples are still my favourite food, it’s just a bonus that they are tasty! I do also love to have a bowl of granola in the morning with some yoghurt and maybe even some chopped apples on top too.

Why is it important for kids to be part of a team?

u As a kid, I loved playing with my mates and being part of a team. I believe it is so important to be part of a team to learn the benefits of everyone working together to achieve a common goal. Nothing is more satisfying.

What’s your favourite memory of being part of a team as a kid?

u One of my favourite memories was winning a team tennis championship for my local tennis club when I was 12. This is still a wonderful childhood memory that I remember fondly due to the satisfaction of winning as a team. Do you do any mindfulness or breathing activities?

Yes, I do engage in mindfulness and breathing activities daily, especially in the lead-up to a game on the weekend.

How do they help?

I’m a big believer in visualising yourself in the moment (for me it was footy), so when the time does come, you can execute under pressure on game-day. It’s also a great way to remove yourself from the competitive nature of the sport and the subsequent pressure it puts on you to help with recovery

Why do you think the Coles Healthy Kicks program is so important

Kids have so many temptations around streaming and devices that aren’t generally healthy for long periods of time. I love the message the Coles Healthy Kicks program promotes – to encourage young kids to embrace healthy cooking, mindfulness and exercise. The mental and physical benefits it provides to young kids are also

Can you unscramble these letters to reveal the AFL players’ names?