KICKING HEALTHY GOALS FOR KIDS

The Coles Healthy Kicks program is a fun and entertaining health and fitness program designed specifically to encourage Australian children aged six to 12 to embrace healthy eating, mindfulness and exercise.

The program is in its fourth year engaging with kids across Australia through fun fitness, healthy food education and 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, Brisbane’s Lions’ Josh Dunkley and Ruby Svarc, Essendon’s Madi Prespakis, Collingwood’s Sabrina Frederick, Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, Carlton’s Patrick Cripps and St Kilda’s Steph Chiocci.

Chiocci has been a trailblazer for women’s football and captained the Magpies’ AFLW team in all six seasons since 2017. This season she embarks on a new journey at St Kilda Football Club.

She also has a strong passion for improving children’s health and wellness via her dedication as a longstanding PE teacher at Parkdale Secondary College in Melbourne, which makes her the perfect Ambassador for Coles Healthy Kicks.

What did you do as a kid to stay active?

u I was involved in many sports from Little Athletics to basketball to hockey. I spent a lot of time outside in the backyard playing footy and cricket with my brothers as well. What healthy foods did you love as a kid?

u My family and I would often have fresh fruit after dinner when I was growing up so that was a staple. Mango is my favourite.

What is your favourite healthy food now?

u I absolutely love bircher muesli. Oats, shredded apple, coconut and natural yoghurt with a drizzle of honey.

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

u Team environments allow for kids to build relationships with others and have fun playing the sport they love.

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

u Definitely making new friends and sharing special moments with my teammates like winning games, milestones and kicking my first goal.

Do you do any mindfulness or breathing activities?

u Yes! I have downloaded the Smiling Mind app and regularly use the body scan, particularly at night.

How does it help?

u The Smiling Mind app, or any guided meditation/body scan, helps to calm my mind down before bed and reduces stress levels. It also helps me be in the moment, which is practising mindfulness.

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

u Not only does Coles Healthy Kicks promote being active in a fun and engaging way, it also provides benefits for our mental health and social development through education sessions, team-building activities and nutrition sessions to name a few.

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

LEBKA RASEC ARILI IRALI