The Daily Mile initiative run by Athletics Ireland has passed a significant milestone with the 1000th school signing up to take part.
The basis of the idea, which was brought to Ireland in 2018, is to encourage children to run for 15 minutes a day. It is commercially supported here by INEOS, Irish Life Health, Healthy Ireland, Tomar Trust and Local Sports Partnerships across Ireland.
“The Daily Mile continues to make a difference and it is hugely uplifting to see that it has been embraced now by a thousand Primary Schools countrywide.,” said ambassador Frank Greally.
“We have received greatly encouraging feedback from principals, teachers, parents and children who all recognise the value ‘The Daily Mile’ brings to a school.”
“We have been greatly helped too on our mission by all the Local Sports Partnerships. The promotion of ‘The Daily Mile’ continues to be a team effort at Athletics Ireland and it’s lovely to be part of a winning team.”
Children had been encouraged to take part in ‘The Daily Mile at Home’ during the lockdown period, but a return to school settings has seen another fantastic uptake which has seen ‘The Daily Mile’ reach the 1000 school milestone.
Research
Research which was published earlier this year showed that 75 per cent of primary school teachers saw The Daily Mile as having a positive impact on the attentiveness and concentrations levels of children throughout the school day.
“The Daily Mile programme really is something special, and it’s great to have partners who are so passionate about improving the health and well-being of the children of Ireland,” said Athletics Ireland CEO Hamish Adams.
“The success and rapid growth to 1000 schools since the launch in late 2018 could not have been achieved without the backing of INEOS, Irish Life health, Tomar Trust, Healthy Ireland, and our Local Sports Partnerships.”
“Now is the time for us to double down on prioritising exercise in schools. We need to focus our attention nationally on developing physical literacy capacities and capabilities in our children and young people to help them live healthier lives, both physically and mentally”.
As well as benefits to the children’s physical health, ‘The Daily Mile’ also plays an important role in aiding social interaction among children with over 85 per cent of teachers stating how it increases the opportunity for social interaction among children in the school.
