Sport and physical activity should be central to school life, according to a letter from Ruth Daniels, CEO of British Triathlon. Writing in response to a recent article by Cath Bishop, Daniels argues that building a habit early on means it is more likely to continue in later life. She points to multiple layers of evidence showing the benefits of an active and healthy nation, yet society struggles to embed activity in daily lives.
Mandatory sport in schools
Daniels states: "School is mandatory, so sport/physical activity should be too; building a habit early on means it is more likely to continue in later life." She criticizes the reduction of time given to sport on the school curriculum, the selling off of playing fields, and the decrease in teachers able to instruct multiple sports. She calls for investment and structural change at scale, including innovation and new ways of thinking, to improve general health and wellbeing.
Daniels highlights Parkrun as a successful model, creating a social sporting community led by enjoyment and social connection, with one in 10 schools now participating. She concludes: "As CEO of British Triathlon, I want everyone to be able to swim, cycle and run. Surely this is not too much to ask of our society?"
A contrasting view on PE
However, Jane Hall of Birmingham offers a different perspective, sharing her traumatic experiences of PE in the 1980s. She describes being last to be picked for teams and the humiliation of communal showers while being shouted at. Hall, now a schoolteacher, says: "No amount of buoyant promotion will convince me to enjoy sport. An apology would be a better place to start."
The letters highlight the ongoing debate over the role of sport in schools and the need for positive experiences to foster lifelong activity.
