Robin Hood Football Club is teaming up with Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre to help raise awareness of men’s health.

One of the main goals of the partnership is to reach a new audience that may not normally come into contact with the centre.

“Footballers, who in general will be fitter, younger and healthier than most of the male population, are often the least likely to be aware of possible health issues,” Tara Curtis, the centre’s executive director, said. “By establishing this relationship, we hope to get across to players, officials and spectators alike that everyone needs to pay attention to their health and their family history of cancer and other diseases.”

The club has worked with the centre before, raising more than any other sports club for the Movember men’s health campaign in the past three years. It will now work more closely with the Centre on a wider programme surrounding men’s health issues. As part of the tie-up, the club will feature the centre’s name on the premiership team’s new jerseys and other club apparel.

“Our working together will also ensure that more people will know about the centre and the services we provide regardless of a persons’ health insurance cover or ability to pay,” Ms Curtis said.

She also reiterated that as of mid-2017, the centre will provide treatment radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients with its new facility, which has been designed in collaboration with the Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center.

Club president Joel Duffy added that the association with the centre “makes a lot of sense” for the team.

“We’re transitioning into more of a community Club by expanding into youth football and growing our charitable activities,” he said.

“Everyone knows someone, whether a friend or family member who has been affected by cancer, so from our point of view it was a no-brainer to work closer with Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre to raise awareness.”

The centre’s own medical director, Chris Fosker, is also a member of the Robin Hood Football team, which won the FA Cup last season.

“It’s well known that physical activity is good for your health and this is particularly true for team sports,” Dr Fosker said.

“Regularly playing and training with a team not only improves your physical health but it also improves your mental health, social health and helps in building a healthy community.

“This is what makes the partnership between the Centre and the football club such a natural fit.”

The centre also appreciates the support of the club’s home field, BAA, in helping to highlight the centre’s radiation therapy initiative and the Robin Hood Pub and Restaurant in supporting Movember and Men’s Health Programmes.