Community teams at the Premiership Rugby clubs are delivering the fun exercise and nutrition courses from January 2011 onwards with the aim of highlighting the benefits of healthy living across their local communities.

The healthy living courses aim to get the whole family involved in helping children to change their eating and exercise habits, while learning about nutrition, and with a view to improving overall health, fitness and wellbeing for years to come.

The partnership is on the back of the success of MEND's existing relationship with Northampton Saints, where children celebrated their achievements in the MEND Programme by taking part in a match day guard of honour on the pitch and becoming a member of furry mascot Bernie's Gang.

Richard Varney at Harlequins, said "Harlequins is ideally placed to deliver the MEND healthy lifestyle courses to help families to achieve a balance in their exercise and nutrition. Our professional rugby players have plenty of experience and expertise in getting that balance right and are keen to share the message to those they can help in our local community."

Phil Veasey, Strategic Partnership Director at MEND, said: "We're delighted to partner with Premiership Rugby to deliver our free healthy lifestyle clubs for families. The MEND Programme is all about families getting active and having fun together. Having rugby clubs deliver the programme is a great way to inspire children to get active and take part in sport in their community."

Parents or carers who think their child is above a healthy weight and would like to register for the MEND Programme can call 0800 230 0263, go to mendcentral.org or speak to Harlequins' community department on 0208 4106031