The Federation of Irish Sport have called on all political parties to commit to making two hours of physical education compulsory each week in secondary schools as part of the next government.
The call was led by Dublin footballer and the Federation's President Bernard Brogan. "Imagine what we could do if we were to build on the fantastic grassroots support for sport in our local communities. We know that only 35 per cent of primary schools and just 10 per cent of our secondary schools are receiving the recommended 60 and 120 minutes of PE respectively each week."
"Of course, as adults too, we have a real challenge, with only a third of us getting the recommended 30 minutes' exercise five days a week. Sport needs to be supported, nurtured and grown and that is why it is incumbent on Government to step up to the plate and do what it can to ensure participation and that our young people and adults get the sporting chance that they deserve."
The Federation's Annual Review states the need for more PE time in schools. "Our Primary Schools are the worst in Europe at providing physical education in school whilst only 10% of our Secondary school pupils receive the recommended 120 minutes of PE. Four out of five primary school children get their physical activity outside school and so it is clear that the National Governing Bodies of sport have a huge part to play in getting our children active."
You can read the report in full here.
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