Overweight men in Swansea will now have a new way to lose the pounds thanks to an innovative new concept launching in Swansea this month.

MAN v FAT Football is a 5-a-side football league specifically designed for men wanting to lose weight and/or tackle mental health issues. Participants must start with a BMI (body mass index) of 27.5 or more.

The concept is about more than football in other ways. Players are weighed each week before they play and can score weight loss-related goals that also count towards the score on the pitch.

The initiative, which is endorsed by the FA, runs over 90 leagues across the UK and two in Wales – soon to be three with the launch in Swansea on August 31. Based in the Pure Football complex, off Llangyfelach Road, the matches will take place on Tuesdays.

Ben Gleeson, MAN v FAT Football Swansea Coach, said:

“We are very excited to be launching the concept of MAN v FAT Football in Swansea – a city already so passionate about football – following on from our successes in Newport and Cardiff.

“We have already had many inquiries about signing up, which is a great start; we’ve had two pre-season sessions so far and already established a really strong, friendly group of lads who are benefitting from the social interaction and like-mindedness.

“The accountability of belonging to a team of gents all trying to achieve the same goal works far more than men trying to lose weight solo at the gym for instance. We hope to be able to change the health of many individuals in Swansea for the better.”

For more information visit:

The main website: https://www.manvfatfootball.org/

The local Swansea website: https://www.manvfatfootball.org/swansea