Health Promotion Launch Be Active After School Activity Programme

The Health Promotion Department of the HSE Dublin North East launched the Be Active After-School Activity Programme with Olympic silver-medalist and CEO of the Irish Sports Council, Mr. John Treacy, as guest speaker.

The Be Active ASAP aims to improve the physical activity patterns of school children by introducing them to a wide variety of activities in a fun, supportive, positive environment where everyone is involved. The Be Active ASAP links with the Physical Education Curriculum for Primary Schools, building on what has been learned in class and offering children the chance to experience success at their specific level of ability level. The programme, which is aimed at 7-8 year-olds, is facilitated by teacher leaders, supported by parent leaders and takes place after school, on school grounds, once a week throughout the year.

The Be Active ASAP is funded by the Health Promotion Department of the HSE Dublin North East and is currently being expanded, in co-operation with the Irish Sports Council through its network of sports partnerships, in North Dublin City, Fingal, Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan. Resources for the programme, which are given free of charge to participating schools, were developed by Physical Education staff at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Nazih Eldin, Head of Health Promotion, HSE Dublin North East said "The Be Active ASAP adds significantly to our Health Promoting Schools programme. We in the Health Promotion Department of the HSE have long advocated the benefits of Physical Activity as a major factor in counteracting virtually all of the major illnesses which are prevalent across our society. I believe the Be Active ASAP is providing a powerful motivation to young children to make physical activity a normal feature of their life and this will influence healthy behaviours for years to come."

John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council, added "Two of the critical influences on a child's enjoyment of sport and physical activity are the family and the school. The Be Active ASAP programme is important as it will enhance the experience, and increase the benefits, of sport and physical activity for children and their parents. It will also make the most of the skills of teachers and the facilities available in the school setting."

There are currently 47 schools facilitating the Be Active ASAP across the Dublin North East region with over 150 teachers and 300 parents volunteering their time to deliver activity sessions to over 1200 children on a weekly basis. Children from St. Patrick's National School, Bruskey, Ballina, Co. Cavan demonstrated the activities at the event.

Mary Irving, Principal of St. Catherine's Infant School in Cabra, shared her experience of the programme during the launch stating "We are really glad we introduced the Be Active ASAP to our school this year. It is a brilliantly simple concept. The children are absolutely delighted with it and it has also been very gratifying to see the children's pride in their parents' involvement in the school. Be Active ASAP has definitely been a win win experience for us and we look forward to continuing the programme again next year."

Maura Coulter, Lecturer in Physical Education, St Patrick's College said "St. Patrick's College is particularly pleased to see the Be Active ASAP develop from its inception here in 2006. The Be Active ASAP was driven by our desire to see quality after-school programmes build on children's physical education lessons and encourage children towards engagement in regular physical activity. The involvement of teachers and parents working collaboratively
to support the children is exciting and highlights the importance of our work in preparing teachers for engagement in such partnerships for the benefit of the primary school child."

For more information on the Be Active After-School Activity Programme please visit www.beactiveasap.ie