On Thursday 1st May, Bolton Arena proudly hosted its inaugural Fitness Testing Day for Year 8 students from Ladybridge High School. As part of an ambitious cross-curricular project titled “Can Bolton Become a Blue Zone?”, learners took part in professional-standard fitness assessments led by the Arena’s tennis academy strength and conditioning team, under the guidance of Head of S&C Howard Green.
Organised in collaboration with Mr Ellis, Head of Sport, Health, Character & Enrichment at Ladybridge, the event marked a major milestone in promoting long-term health and wellbeing in young people. The students were tested in three waves throughout the day, experiencing high-performance training techniques in a world-class facility.
“Highlighting good health with the younger generation is so important,” said Stuart Kay, Head of Sport & Communities at Bolton Arena. “We’re extremely proud that Mr Ellis chose our venue to host such a unique and meaningful experience. We hope this becomes an annual event.”
The fitness day is part of Ladybridge High School’s broader project inspired by global Blue Zones—regions where people routinely live beyond 100 years in good health. Throughout the term, learners have explored key pillars of Blue Zone living in their PE and Science lessons: regular movement, plant-based nutrition, and strong social connections.
At the Arena, students underwent a series of fitness tests, the results of which will be transformed into personalised FIFA-style fitness cards—a fun and engaging way for each learner to visualise their physical strengths and identify areas for development.
To conclude the project, each student made a personal pledge to adopt a single healthy habit, such as walking to school, eating more vegetables, or sharing meals with family. These pledges are now displayed in the school’s newly developed Wellbeing Garden, offering a daily reminder of their commitment to healthier living.
This collaborative effort between Bolton Arena and Ladybridge High School not only enriched the students’ understanding of health and longevity but also invited the local community to reflect on a powerful question:
Can Bolton become a Blue Zone?
