The World Heart Federation is partnering with UEFA, the Dutch Heart Foundation, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), and the Healthy Stadia network to promote heart health and fight against cardiovascular disease ahead of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017. Under the theme A healthy Heart Your Goal, activities are taking place in the Netherlands and across Europe to encourage children, women and all fans to lead an active, healthy lifestyle and take up sports such as football to help keep their heart healthy

Heart disease and stroke is the number one killer of women in Europe, a fact that many women don’t know. The good news is that most cardiovascular disease could be prevented, and physical activity is a key way of helping to keep your heart healthy. However, a new research in 4 European countries reveals that three quarters of women are doing less than the recommended level of activity. There is no lack of willingness to exercise as 72% of women questioned would like to be more active, but they quote embarrassment about their lack of fitness (31%), being too busy (42%) and worries about the cost of exercise (36%) as some of the reasons for not exercising more.

To help reverse this trend, we encourage women across Europe to join the #MatchFitWoman 28 days challenge: improving their heart health by setting goals to get active for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week until the Women’s EURO kicks off on 16th July.

The players are training for the competition, and we believe that every woman can also be match fit – it’s not about trying to achieve a high level of athleticism or an unrealistic body shape. Being a #MatchFitWoman is about recognising that even with our busy lives, we can all make small changes to be more active, fit and healthy.

Join the #MatchFitWoman Challenge starting on Monday 19th June and get active in the run up to the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017! You will receive daily tips and ideas to build more activity into your everyday life. By sharing activity goals on Facebook and Twitter, you will also be in with a chance of winning fantastic football prizes including VIP tickets to the Women’s EURO 2017 final in the Netherlands.