Raith Rovers are among the newest signings in our campaign to relegate energy drinks from schools.
The Kirkcaldy club is supporting our Can It campaign to kick the fizzy beverages from school grounds.
The Courier wants to see all local secondary schools ban the canned drinks, many of which contain up to 20 teaspoons of sugar as well as caffeine.
Raith manager Gary Locke encourages his players to eat and drink healthily and hopes that his team’s example will be followed by young fans.
Urging youngsters to stick to water, milk or diluting juice, he said: “You see kids drinking these energy drinks all the time and I don’t think they have any idea how bad they are for them.
“In fact, a lot of people think they are good for them and there’s a perception that they are high in energy so will make you fitter.
“Instead they give you an instant kick for 10, 15 minutes then you slump.”
He said players are encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle and would soon start to struggle if they drunk several cans of the fizzy pop a day.
Backing our campaign, he said: “Obesity is being tackled in every school and kids have to be warned of the dangers of these drinks and the importance of living as healthily as they can.
“A lot of the youngsters in our schools see our lads as heroes so they might just listen to what they have to say.”
Midfielder Ross Callachan said the drinks were popular when he was at school but said: “I don’t touch them.
“They are full of sugar and are bad for you. I stick to water and milk which are the best drinks for you.”
