Active healthy lifestyles

As a direct response to the societal need to encourage people to adopt an active lifestyle, Coca‑Cola introduced Coca‑Cola ‘Be Active’, a multifaceted programme of locally based initiatives, offering opportunities for communities around Ireland to take part in a range of sporting activities. The ‘Be Active’ programme consists of a series of sporting initiatives ranging from top level to grassroots and ‘just for fun’ activities, focusing on providing opportunities for everyone to become involved in sport, regardless of ability or social demographic.

Examples of ‘Be Active’ initiatives include:

• Coca‑Cola ‘Football for you’ – This partnership with the Irish Football Association (IFA), featuring women’s football, disabled football, grassroots development, and the high profile Junior Cup offers opportunities for people to take part in both competitive and non-competitive football.

• The Coca‑Cola Féile na nGael and Féile Peil na nÓg under 14s hurling, camogie, football and handball championships in association with the Gaelic Athletic Association. Coca‑Cola has sponsored the Féile na nGael finals since 1971.

• Powerade ‘Grassroots Rugby’ – Powerade is partner to, and official sports drink of Ulster and Leinster Rugby.  In addition to sponsorship of the senior teams, the Northern Ireland Towns Cup and the Leinster Schools Rugby Competition encourages participation of young people at a grassroots level.

Results
- c.125,000 people participated in the scheme across the island of Ireland

- ‘Be Active’ messaging reached an audience in excess of 1.1million

- Partnered with over 38 local sporting associations and community groups

 
In addition the Coca‑Cola Foundation has provided a philanthropic grant for ‘Sport for Life’. ‘Sport for Life’ is a strategic initiative of the University of Ulster Schools of Sports Studies. The ‘Sport for Life’ project will target 100 schools and 3,000 pupils in areas of greatest disadvantage from all around the province with the aim of educating pupils on the health benefits associated with physical activity.  The programme is run by Ulster Sports Outreach with no visible link to The Coca‑Cola Company.