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Active Blues

Active Blues, funded in part by National Lottery funding through Sport England and run in partnership with Everton in the Community, is tackling the physical and mental health issues associated with physical inactivity by offering a range of free sessions in North Liverpool. Activities include walking football, gym-based fitness sessions, golf and cycling all situated nearby to Goodison Park, the home of Everton Football Club.

The Active Blues project is underpinned by ongoing research led by Edge Hill University’s Tom Duffell, a PhD researcher, to better understand the barriers to physical activity for men within the age range of 35-55 within the local area, as well as identifying the benefits of regular participation in sport through engagement with the Active Blues programme.

Participants of the project also have the opportunity to go on  stadium tours of Goodison Park, as well as a tour of Finch Farm, Everton’s training facility.

Michael Salla, Director of Health and Sport, Everton Football Club, Ronald Koeman, Manager, Everton Football Club (2016-17, Centre), Professor Andy Smith, Edge Hill University (Right)
Michael Salla, Director of Health and Sport, Everton Football Club (Left), Ronald Koeman, Manager, Everton Football Club (2016-17, Centre), Professor Andy Smith, Edge Hill University (Right)

Pat Van Den Hauwe Walking football league

Through the Active Blues project, Everton in the Community have officially launched the Pat Van Den Hauwe Walking Football League, a free monthly walking football session. Spearheaded by Pat himself, a former League Championship and European Cup Winners Cup winner with Everton, the Walking Football league opens up the game to men aged 30-55,  similarly looking to improve the social, physical and mental health of men through getting involved in football.

“The Pat van Den Hauwe Walking Football League is the latest development in our Active Blues collaboration which is led by Edge Hill PhD student, Tom Duffell and the Everton coaches. We hope through these initiatives we can continue to generate new learning that will enable us to better understand how we can improve men’s health and wellbeing, whilst reducing the social and economic costs of physical inactivity to society,”

Andy Smith, Professor of Sport and Physical Activity

Lads’ night in

The collaboration between Edge Hill and Everton is proud to hold lads’ night in, a series of entertainment evenings held at Goodison Park. Fans can enjoy a pie, chips and gravy and a pint of Chang, as well as meet a number of Everton legends, telling their stories and answering questions about their time playing for the Blues. Attendees will also have the chance to find out more about the Active Blues programme, and sign up to any free sport sessions on the night.

Get in touch

f you are interested in taking part in Active Blues, or require further information, please contact Tom Duffell, the Active Blues programme co-ordinator at Edge Hill University: