Staying physically and mentally healthy can be easier said than done. This is why we created The Greater Game to inspire healthy living whether that’s moving, thinking, sleeping or eating well. We spoke to our England Men’s team recently about all health and wellbeing and what it means to them.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that children and adolescents should do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity activity a day, whilst limiting the amount of time spent being sedentary, particularly the amount of recreational screen time. Our England teams recognise the benefits of getting good exercise outside of football.

This is all about mental health. We all are aware of the impact negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours can have on young people. Happiness, self-confidence, acceptance revolves around their peer groups, and our England teams believe mental health is just as important as physical health. They are focused on teamwork, driving resilience and having downtime to switch off and recuperate.

Eating well is all about balance. We want young people to enjoy their food, but make healthier choices through variety and moderation. They need carbohydrates for energy, proteins to repair, support growth and build muscle, fruit and vegetables to provide the vitamins and minerals, as well as water for hydration, maintaining bodily functions and keeping cool. Let’s see what inspires the England Men’s team!

Did you know that 12–16-year-olds should be having 8-10 hours’ sleep per night (NHS, 2023)? A lack of sleep affects a player’s ability to perform and engage, but the influence is just as detrimental outside of the game. Our England teams take this extremely seriously and have created a calm and quiet sleep environment, with a regular sleeping routine when away on camp and at matches. They recognise how important sleep is to support recovery after training and matches.