Our children have always enjoyed Fizzbugs, but this summer with the tents and focus on outdoor play has been brilliant – thank you for making such a huge effort, our girls LOVED it! Matt Martel
At FizzBug we educate children, their parents and their teachers. We do this by working with the schools where we run holiday clubs, PE lessons or lunchtime and breakfast clubs that introduce enjoyable and inclusive physical education and healthy eating with a big ‘FUN’ factor.
We are competitive yet inclusive; Fizz Bug programmes teach respect for others and respect for oneself. The children build and develop emotional confidence and leadership skills, which reap benefits in a whole-of-life sense, not just in the gym or on the sports field. Designed to fit within the required curriculum, the nutritional education and cooking combined with the fizz-ical activities reach out to the entire family. FizzBug is about forming habits in childhood that last a lifetime!
Our FizzBug mission is to enthuse, encourage and educate, using simple and enjoyable programmes. In a fun and nurturing environment we naturally use and encourage the positive benefits of physical activity and good nutrition – enabling better achievement and a healthier life to light a fire that will burn for a lifetime.
By improving fitness and nutrition, we will improve confidence, concentration and participation in general learning and family-centred life. FizzBug believes in and promotes the Olympic and Paralympic values of Friendship, Respect, Excellence, Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality.
FizzBug is squarely aimed at addressing the growing health issues that face our children (and their families).
FizzBug is a campaigning organisation. Statistics show that the number of children who are obese is growing – indeed it has more than tripled in England over the past 25 years; at FizzBug we have a great deal to be passionate about as we combat this concerning trend. We aim to educate the youngest members of our society in healthy eating, sensible but enjoyable food, good nutrition without expense, and fun fitness – all in a way that inspires and engages, forging a way of life for participants, laying solid foundations for a healthy future – and the future of generations to come.
The brain is often described as being “like a muscle”. It’s a perspective that props up the brain training industry and keeps school children hunched over desks. Literacy and numeracy exercises are judged as more beneficial for the brain than running, playing and learning on the move. However, research shows that working the body’s muscles benefits the brain.
A wave of studies exploring the unexpected links between mental and bodily fitness is emerging from the scientific community. Physical exercise makes your brain work better. We have been adopting the importance of exercise and specifically morning exercise in our adult and school programmes for the last 28 years.
Kate has lived in Harpenden for most of her life and is a resourceful fundraising and event management professional with a 20+ year’s verifiable track record in organising, funding as well as managing the events and the clients – from proposal to delivery.
Kate and Mark have delivered courses all over the country including Newcastle, Hertfordshire, Devon and Cornwall running fun kid’s activity days and sessions which included such activities as Woodland Adventures, Assault Courses, it’s a knock out, Team building, Problem Solving Activity Puzzles as well as General Circuit Training.
They have been running Arts & Crafts plus the very popular Cookery School at after-school and holiday clubs; delivering school Change for Life programmes, anti-bullying, team building and leadership programmes all of which are bespoke to the individual school, depending on the school’s needs.
Mark enjoyed a 22 year career in the Royal Navy during which time he completed two tours of duty in the Falkland Islands and travelled the world extensively. His passion was to play for the RN Hockey Team and also played football and rugby at Command level. Mark qualified as a Royal Navy Physical Training Instructor in 1989 after being selected to undergo the selection process followed by a 6 month physical and mentally demanding course. He was then selected to join the Physical Training Staff at HMS Raleigh the Royal Navy’s New Entry Training Establishment. On leaving the Service, driven to make a difference, he set up a successful ‘Fit BootCamp’ business aimed at the corporate market, but came to realise as a parent that his true motivation lay in promoting life-time fitness and behaviour-change in young people.
Kate and Mark’s experience includes running bespoke programmes for McAfee, PWC, Wrigley’s, Chicks Charity, Heel & Toe Charity, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Schools Sports Partnership, CaterEd Plymouth, and the Mirror Group Biggest Loser Competition, the latter of which included families and 7 schools in Plymouth.
SING Dance Teacher
Aprill graduated from the Creative Academy with a BA Hons in Dance having trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Street Dance, Pilates and Choreography. She has danced in Italy, Disneyland Paris, in the Bollywood industry in India and in Musical Theatre productions in England as well as performing at the Queen’s Jubilee!
We are delighted that Aprill continues to teach SING team during 2019 and to pass on her enthusiasm, fun, positivity and love of all styles of dance to our children attending. Aprill also offers parties and is a fantastic teacher to both the young and the older!!!
FizzBug Helper
Hello, my name is Jayden Murray, I am 19 years old. I have been working at FizzBug’s for 3 years now and love it. I studied Biology and Sport Studies at College and finished my final exams in 2018. I am also a FA level 1 football coach. I have a passion for sports and fitness and making these fun. In my spare time I play football for a local club, where I am the Captain. I was chosen to captain the team as my fellow team mates as they feel I am a good leader and a sociable person. I love sharing my enthusiasm and encouraging the children at FizzBug’s and am looking forward to another fun summer.
FizzBug Team Leader
Hi, my name is Ella. I have just finished a BSc in Psychology and I am hoping to pursue an MSc in Occupational Psychology at the University of Sheffield in September. My degree in psychology has left me with a curiosity about human behaviour but I promise I can’t read minds!
For the last five years, I have worked part time as a swimming teacher, teaching children from age 3 all the way up to adult beginners (who would rather I didn’t disclose their age!). While studying for my degree I also volunteered at a local school working closely with a class of Year Six students on preparing for their SATs. I enjoyed teaching immensely and I am thoroughly looking forward to joining the FizzBug team.
Cookery School Leader
I am 21 years old and currently going into my final year at Edinburgh University. I am a Chinese studies undergraduate and have just returned to the UK after studying for a year in Beijing. I have a passion for travelling and discovering new cultures. I would say I am a very sporty person, I am a member of my university lacrosse club which I love, but I also enjoy running and just being outdoors in general. I loved volunteering at Oakland’s College Riding for the Disabled and my stint as a Primary School Classroom Assistant at British Berlin School.
Hello, my name is Alex and I am a third year student studying Music at The University of Sheffield. I am extremely enthusiastic about learning, teaching and performing all types of music. I have trained specifically in classical saxophone and clarinet, however also have enjoyed learning instruments such as piano, guitar, tabla and singing!
While at University I have been able I explore different styles of music such as musicals and Indian Classical Music. I have also loved being able to work on projects to teach music in schools as well as outreach choir concerts around Sheffield.
I believe that music is so important and I love being able to pass on my passion to others and cannot wait to join the Fizzbug team this summer!
Early Years Leader
I have been working with children for the last 8 years, aged 2 upwards. I am an enthusiastic and caring individual who is committed to supporting the educational and emotional development of children. I have a strong creative arts background and a proven ability to enable children to achieve their full potential holistically. I love working at FizzBug’s and engaging with each child to form secure, positive relationships. My knowledge of “Development Matter in the Early Years Foundation Stage” enables me to plan motivating sessions, allowing for specialised learning and development. I am also passionate about the ethos of FizzBug’s and Outdoor Explorers and the irreplaceable value of learning through exploration and discovery.
SING & Outdoor Explorer Leader
I am at York University studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics. During holidays I love my role at FizzBug’s. I have also worked in a school during the 6th form, helping with wrap around care and tutoring. I am a keen pianist and guitarist, having passed grade 8 piano in December 2017. I have played piano in numerous jazz bands such as the school and county bands. I am also in a rock band with a few of my friends, however we are much better at looking the part than actually playing!
Outdoor Explorers Leader
Hello, my name is Callum Stocks and I have just finished my 2nd year at UEA studying Economics. I am a keen sports player representing my university in two sports teams – Korfball and lacrosse, and I also regularly play in a local 5 a side football team. I am a fully qualified life guard and have worked in this role at Harpenden Swimming pool on a part time basis for the last 3 years. I have been actively involved in the Scouting movement, joining as a Beaver Scout at 6 and leaving as Explorer Scout at 18. I completed my Young Leaders Belt and as part of this I helped to lead Cubs – organising games, activities and running evenings as required. I have always found working with children rewarding and working at Fizzbug will allow me to continue to work with children and to use my skills and knowledge to support the development of the children who attend.