Interest in activity must be encouraged early - Robinson

This is the view of an East Antrim MLA, who has expressed concern that too many teenagers have limited opportunities to play sport, are put off exercise by being forced into activities they do not enjoy and abandon physical activity after leaving school.

Ken Robinson has called on Ministers to invest in sport as a way of tackling a range of health and social problems.

Speaking at Stormont last week, the Ulster Unionist said: “Young children find no difficulty in expending energy in a variety of ways, some of which we would compliment them on and others which would give us the wobblies if we saw what they were up to - climbing and running and diving and doing all sorts of strange things.

“Sadly, only 17% of primary school children in Northern Ireland are provided with the recommended two hours of physical education a week. We should also look at the gap between leaving (school) and moving on to higher education or into the world of employment.”

Mr Robinson argued that money spent on sport now could lead to greater savings in the future.

“A modicum of financial contribution will have a beneficial impact on the public’s health, mental health and general quality of life, addressing a variety of ailments and social inequalities. The Health, Education and Social Development Departments each stand to gain.”

He added: “The likelihood of adults taking regular exercise is influenced greatly by their experience of sport and physical activity as a child. PE must be given a higher status and a greater priority in our schools. Finland is aiming at three hours of physical education in its schools - there is a model for the Department of Education to follow.

“As well as setting aside the time, we have to be careful that an enjoyment factor is built in, rather than the conscription that sometimes seems to overlay certain sports, whereby children who wish to engage in a certain sport find themselves dragooned into a sport which they have no affinity.”