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Physical activity important - Ruane

Wednesday, 9 December 2009

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has stressed the importance of children participating in physical activity at an early stage.

The Minister was speaking during a meeting with the Irish Football Association’s (IFA) new Chief Executive, Patrick Nelson. The Minister also observed an IFA coaching session from the Department’s Curriculum Sports Programme while visiting St Therese of Lisieux Primary School in Belfast.

The Minister said: “Participation in physical activity from an early stage is very important in supporting a healthy lifestyle and can be beneficial now, and later in life. That was one of the reasons I launched the Curriculum Sports Programme for young children in November 2007.

“When I launched the programme my aims were to develop the physical literacy skills of our youngest children, raise their confidence and self-esteem, and also raise the confidence of primary teachers in teaching Physical Education, and I am very encouraged by the positive feedback I have received.

“I have also seen at first hand how successful the programme has proved to be in the three years it has been running. During the 2008/09 school year 32 GAA and 30 IFA coaches delivered the programme to over 32,000 primary school children in the north.”

The Minister concluded: “I would like to thank all the coaches delivering the programme for their hard work and the positive effect they are having in getting children involved in sport. I would also like to thank Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive of the IFA, the GAA and the Principals of the schools involved for their hard work and dedication to this programme.”

Notes to editors:

  1. The Department has provided funding of £1.522million to meet the costs of delivering the programme for the year 2009/2010.
  2. The programme is aimed at Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and had an uptake in 600 primary schools for the year 2008/2009.
  3. Media queries to the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.