Losing is the name of the game for award-winning football coaches
Two football coaches who are also helping their players lose weight have been recognised at a national awards ceremony.
Callum Nicholls and David Wright - the coach and assistant coach at the Kidderminster-based branch of MAN v FAT - have been named the national coach and assistant coach of the year, respectively.
MAN v FAT is a weight loss initiative that aims to help overweight men lose unwanted weight through weekly football and lifestyle coaching sessions.
After receiving his award from former England, Villa and Walsall star Paul Merson, Nicholls - who also coaches at the Oldbury club - said: “When I first started, I didn't really know anything about MAN v FAT and so it was a little like getting thrown in the deep end.
"But I've got an amazing assistant coach who has helped me massively and, we've gone above and beyond trying to get everyone to buy into the process.
"And then every year we've lost 100, 200, 300kg at Oldbury. When I first joined Kidderminster, the club overall was at about plus-50kg, but we finished at about minus-50kg.
"So it's all about getting the players to buy in. And when they buy in, it is fantastic. We are changing so many lives. It's amazing.”
Wright, who runs an exterior cleaning company, was recognised as the programme’s assistant coach of the year at the MAN v FAT Awards.
He initially joined MAN v FAT Kidderminster in September 2022 and has since lost more than a quarter of his body weight on the programme.
“I joined because I was overweight and depressed,” explains David. “I really struggled joining as I don't like meeting new people but, when I started, all the lads were welcoming, and it felt like a proper football family.”
Wright, who subsequently became an assistant coach at the club in June 2024, added: “I love coming to MAN v FAT on a Monday night, talking to all the lads and having a laugh. I have lost 5.5 stones with MAN v FAT, and I like to give advice to all the lads to help them lose weight.
"The football is great too but it's all about the weight loss in my opinion.”
The Kidderminster club meets on Monday evenings at the Wyre Forest Leisure Centre, Silverwoods Way. To locate your closest club, visit www.manvfat.com/football
