CNW - Believing in the power of numbers, Making the Connection and the Canadian Football League (CFL) have once again teamed up to invite football fans to take the Making the Connection CFL Challenge Pairs' Edition with the goal of improving their cardiovascular health while inspiring many other Canadians to do the same.
This year's program allows fans across Canada to sign up for their own personalized action plan at www.cfl.ca/makingtheconnection , as well as enter a contest to be one of eight pairs selected to win a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve their overall heart health with the support and leadership of a CFL pro.
"Some athletes are under the impression that because they are fit they cannot possibly have any cardiovascular health issues," said Wally Buono, head coach of the BC Lions and spokesperson for Making the Connection CFL Challenge.
"This is simply not true. Even athletes need to create a personal game plan to change their lifestyles and take charge of their heart health and I encourage fans across the country to grab a partner and do the same."
Fans can register online for a chance to be coached by a CFL player and a personal trainer as they take steps toward improving their heart health. An expert judging panel of Canadian health professionals will track each pair's progress over the course of the season and select a winning team.
Participating players include:
- Barron Miles (BC Lions)
- Auggie Barranechea (Edmonton Eskimos)
- Ryan Thelwell (Calgary Stampeders)
- D.J. Flick (Saskatchewan Roughriders)
- Jamie Stoddard (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
- Nick Setta (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
- Jeff Johnson (Toronto Argonauts)
- Pascal Masson (Montréal Alouettes)
Sixteen fans - one pair per CFL market - will be selected
from among all entries by a panel of judges in early August.
The judging panel will consist of representatives from the
Canadian Lipid Nurse Network, the Canadian Association of
Cardiac Rehabilitation and the Canadian Society for Exercise
Physiology (CSEP). Fans selected will have the opportunity to
meet their local CFL player and one pair, as chosen by the
panel, will win a trip for two to the 2008 Grey Cup in Montreal
on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Participants will be evaluated over the course of the program by a standardized measurement system. A change in bad habits, a willingness to alter current lifestyle and basic health transformations will impact the pairs' results in the contest. The final step is to follow a relatively simple, fun, low-risk professional CFL workout routine designed by a personal trainer to the pros.
"This year's edition of the Making the Connection CFL Challenge, now entering its sixth year, continues to connect our fans to their favourite players and promote healthy, active living," said Rob Assimakopoulos, senior vice-president, Marketing and Commercial Assets for the CFL. "It's a compelling and unique program because it takes the thrill of a player/fan connection and gives it a solid purpose, focused on positive results."
For those who do not have the chance to participate in the challenge, or do not live in, or have regular direct access to one of the eight CFL teams' cities, can still benefit from the program and will still have the opportunity to win a gym membership or even their own personal home gym by registering for their own personalized action plan at http://5step.makingtheconnection.ca .
