The Daily Mile Turns Ten

This year marks the tenth anniversary of The Daily Mile and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council wants to encourage schools across the district to sign up and get everyone moving.  

The Daily Mile is simple and free.  Its aim is to improve the physical, social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing of our children regardless of age, ability or personal circumstances. It is a social physical activity involving running, jogging or wheeling and takes just 15 minutes to complete. Children go at their own pace, in the fresh air with friends at school every day. Overall, it has proven benefits of increased fitness levels, attention levels, behaviour improvement and even reports of better sleep.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councilor Michael Rice said, “One of the Council’s main priorities is to improve the health and wellbeing of its citizens and it is important that this begins as early as possible so that young people grow up to be fit and healthy with physical exercise embedded into their daily routine. The Daily Mile is such a simple but incredibly effective concept and the Council fully supports the initiative in schools across the district and encourages any schools that have not yet signed up to do so as soon as possible.”

Two of the schools that take part in the initiative are St Joseph’s Convent Primary School and St Ronan’s Primary School in Newry.  Speaking about the benefits the daily activity has on his pupils, St Joseph’s Convent Primary School Vice Principal, Conor Farrell said, “The Daily Mile has been an important part of our school day for the last 10 years. It has helped to improve the physical fitness of our pupils, made them more resilient and has helped to cultivate a positive attitude towards being active. It is a simple, yet very powerful daily habit that will continue to be used here for many years to come.”

St Ronan’s Primary School teacher, Naoimh Dawson said, "The Daily Mile has become part of our everyday routine here in St Ronan’s Primary School. It highlights the importance of staying healthy and active and taking care of our wellbeing. Every class completes a daily mile as often as they can, and the children's enjoyment is evident as they walk around the school and wider community.  We had the pleasure of taking part in The Daily Mile 10th Anniversary and we will continue to support this simple but valuable activity."

Daily Mile Network NI Physical Activity Coordinator, Clare Drummy said, “We are delighted to be involved in this global event, celebrating the tenth anniversary with schools.  There is a real appetite and support from early year settings and schools to embed The Daily Mile into the day.  We are delighted that Daily Mile registrations have increased from schools in Northern Ireland as a result of event days, which have highlighted the huge benefits of The Daily Mile on children’s health and wellbeing”.

If any schools across the district are interested in signing up, please do not hesitate to contact Alannah Brennan on alannah.brennan@nmandd.org