Kerry Primary Schools Join A Global Celebration Of ‘The Daily Mile’

In a week when ‘The Daily Mile’ is celebrated globally, Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State for Sport & the Gaeltacht and Minister for Education Norma Foley today visited Nagle Rice Primary School and Flemby National School in Co Kerry to witness ‘The Daily Mile’ in action.

This week marks the 10th anniversary of ‘The Daily Mile’, a 15 minutes-a-day walk or run initiative for primary school children. The initiative began in one primary school in Scotland in 2012.

Today ‘The Daily Mile’ in Ireland - promoted by Athletics Ireland in association with Local Sports Partnerships- is celebrating its fourth anniversary. Some 1,151 primary schools throughout the country are now making ‘The Daily Mile’ part of their school day with Ireland ranked 4th of 87 countries for participation rate per capita.

Minister Jack Chambers, who has long been a supporter of ‘The Daily Mile’ in Ireland said: “I am a proud supporter of ‘The Daily Mile’ and am delighted to be participating in the programme today with children from Nagle Rice and Flemby National schools. As Minister with responsibility for sport I am acutely aware of the importance of physical activity and participation for young people and ‘The Daily Mile’ is a fantastic way for children to get exercise while having fun with their friends and classmates. The benefits of the programme speak for themselves with children who participate showing dramatically improved energy and fitness levels as well as reduced anxiety and stress, among a host of other health and wellbeing benefits.”

Speaking at the school visits in Kerry, Norma Foley, Minister for Education said: “I am delighted to welcome Minister Chambers to county Kerry and to take part in ‘The Daily Mile’ today. The initiative is one that is proving hugely beneficial to children in schools all over Ireland. In addition to the important physical health benefits of the initiative, the research also shows how the programme drastically helps children’s concentration levels in the classroom and promotes better learning outcomes for all.”

Hamish Adams, CEO of Athletics Ireland said: “’The Daily Mile’ programme really is something special, and it’s great to have the support of Government and our partners in helping us to improve the health and well-being of the children of Ireland. The success and rapid growth to over 1150 schools since the launch in late 2018 could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of INEOS, Irish Life health, Tomar Trust, Healthy Ireland, and our Local Sports Partnerships.”

‘The Daily Mile’ began in 2012 in Scotland when principal Elaine Wyllie asked a class of 10-year-olds to run around the school playing field.

"By halfway round most children were exhausted and had to stop" Elaine said. "Most of them were completely unfit- and they recognised that themselves. What was to be done about this inconvenient truth? If not now, then when? If not us, then who?

"I sat down with the class and their teacher to discuss the situation. The children were keen to run around the field for fifteen minutes every day to see what level of fitness they could achieve in a month.

"The results were remarkable. The children looked better, felt better and were much fitter. They were averaging five laps of the field in the fifteen minutes, which when measured, turned out to be a mile - so ‘The Daily Mile’ was born. Despite the name, however, it's never a set distance. It's always 15 minutes a day with each child walking, jogging or running at their own pace.

"After four weeks, ‘The Daily Mile’ produces transformational change in participating children. They are physically far more focussed in the classroom, more confident and more resilient."

From the start, ‘The Daily Mile’ has been supported by INEOS, a global leader in renewable energy.

This week Elaine Wyllie, who was awarded an MBE for her initiative, is spearheading a global celebration of ‘The Daily Mile’ that has now been adopted by 14,000 schools in 87 countries with an average daily participation rate of 3.2 million children.

‘The Daily Mile’ has recently been announced as the official school education fitness program supporter of the World Athletics Championships - Oregon 22.

"We know that the positive experience we have at a young age shape habits for life- which is why it's so key to help young children enjoy getting active daily," Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Founder & CEO of INEOS said. ‘The Daily Mile’ is also supported in Ireland by INEOS, Healthy Ireland, Tomar Trust and Irish Life Health.

 Visit https://thedailymile.ie/ to learn more.

Ends

• Photos available FOC on Sportsfile
• For more information contact Athletics Ireland Ambassador for ‘The Daily Mile’, Frank Greally: frank@thedailymile.ie