Defence Forces could play a key role in promoting physical fitness in schools and society

The Defence Forces could play a key role in promoting physical education in Irish schools and improving physical activity levels within the wider community, according to a new report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Women’s Rights.

There is a strong history of military involvement in the evolution of physical education in Ireland and this relationship continues to the present day, according to the report The Defence Forces – A role in promoting Physical Fitness. The Defence Forces is a rich source of expertise in terms of PE teachers, instructors, Coaches; facilities; and equipment, it says.

Other countries have developed excellent programmes which serve as models of best practice in potentially forging strong links between the military and the wider community (including schools), and that may serve as potential models in terms of how the Defence Forces might fulfil a role in supporting the delivery of PE in Irish Schools and promoting increased physical activity levels within the wider community.

Among the report’s recommendations are:

 Develop a Defence Forces week of Youth Sport and Physical Activity. Based on the French model, the focus of the week should be on promoting a broad range of physical activities to as wide a reach of children as possible, and exposing children to new or novel physical activities such as orienteering, outdoor pursuits or age-appropriate obstacle courses/team challenges.
 Support the delivery of Sport and Physical Education Programmes in Schools. On a pilot basis in two to three locations throughout the country, develop partnerships between Military Barracks and local schools with the aim of supporting the promotion of physical activity and the delivery of PE in the schools.
 Support the promotion of increased physical activity levels within the wider community.
 Develop a FETAC accredited module on Teamwork and Leadership through the medium of Physical Activity and Sport, for delivery to Transition Year students
 Co-ordinate an Annual Military Challenge for children and young people.
 Increase military involvement in inter-agency and inter-sectoral efforts, at both national and local level, to promote increased physical activity participation among children and young people
 Inveigle the support of high profile Defence Forces sports personnel to champion the case for increased physical activity and sports participation among children and young people

Chairman of the Committee, Brendan Kenneally TD: “In light of the McCarthy report, there is the very real possibility in the years ahead that a constriction of public services is likely to impact most severely on a non-examinable subject like PE and to have severe consequences on the status of school sport. By reaching out to schools and communities in a more policy-focused and strategic way, the Defence Forces can reap rich dividends in terms of fostering excellent relationships with the wider community and attracting young people to chose the Defence Forces as a career.”

Report author Deputy Jimmy Deenihan said: “The recommendations outlined in this section of the report can only be considered following appropriate discussions and engagement with all stakeholders. However, the Defence Forces have a range of resources, both personnel and facilities, which could be used to assist in combating the problem of childhood obesity, inactivity, and poor posture, while also helping to improve the general fitness of the community. If these resources are to be used this committee would strongly suggest that the Defence Forces should be formally tasked by Government with filling a role in this area. This would mean that the provision of support would not be dependent on the goodwill of local level Defence Forces personnel but would be part of the organisation’s mission.”

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
E: ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie