The Sheffield Sharks are bringing the award-winning B. Healthy - B. Braun programme to schools in South Yorkshire for over a decade. The initiative, developed in partnership with healthcare company B. Braun Medical Ltd, aims to increase understanding of lifestyle behaviours and creates a culture in workplaces, schools and communities which maximises health and wellbeing.

Before the pandemic, the Sharks would visit 10 different primary schools each year to provide five weeks of coaching sessions to a chosen year group, and end with the B. Braun B. Healthy event providing healthy eating, bullying and basketball workshops with star Shark’s players.

Marko Backovic, head of community for the Sheffield Sharks, said: “We’ve been running this programme for almost 11 years now and we’ve got a commitment to the participants.

“The last thing we wanted was to have to stop that because of Covid, so we’ve been doing our best to come up with something that works for each school and lets us move forward.”

This year, players from the basketball team are being filmed to create five interactive training videos for teachers to use. There are also Powerpoints and work booklets being distributed across the 10 participating schools.

All the schools normally come together at the end of the coaching for a tournament to put what they’ve learnt to the test in a friendly competition,  which the Sharks hope to arrange next year if circumstances have improved.

Marko added: “Previously we’ve reached around 1500 participants through the B. Healthy programme, as we can only manage so many at once when we visit. This year we’ll reach thousands more as the videos can be used by all teachers across any class in any year group.

“Schools at the minute are running out of things to do as it has been such a strange time, so to have something different to do like this will be a real special treat.”

Will Cavanagh, a teacher from High View Primary Learning Centre, said: “We are very excited to be taking part in the program this year. Given the current difficult circumstances all teachers and students find themselves in at this time it allows for a different experience - connecting with a professional sporting club, whilst also learning the importance of staying fit and eating healthy.

‘We really appreciate the efforts made by B. Braun and the Sheffield Sharks under Covid-19 regulations to adapt B. Healthy - B. Braun, so schools can still benefit from the program. We really hope we can get through this difficult time for everyone around the world, and end the year on a positive by participating in the B. Healthy B. Braun basketball tournament!”

The content will be distributed to schools during the final term before Christmas – they will also be looking to reintroduce a dance part of the scheme come January with DanceDaze.

David Oates, Group Managing Director of B. Braun Medical Ltd, said: “During these challenging times looking after our health and wellbeing is more important than ever, so we’re thrilled the Sharks have found an innovative solution to help keep children active.”

Sheffield based B. Braun Medical Ltd is a platinum Investors in People company and runs a wide-ranging Health and Wellbeing programme for its 1400 staff covering physical and mental health as well as lifeskills such as financial planning.

The award-winning company’s 2020 B. Healthy programme has incorporated new digital provision, in line with the Covid-19 restrictions, including physio webinars, desk to 5K and video workouts.