Sport is Cúl for School Attendance!

International research shows that sport gives children a sense of belonging in school.  

It also shows that participation in school sports and physical activity can protect children from anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.

This was the message of Eddie Ward, CEO of the (NEWB) at the launch of the Board's sponsorship of Cumann na mBunscol, which aims to promote the importance of sport in school life.  

The NEWB is the agency responsible for encouraging children to attend school.  Cumann na mBunscol is the largest sports organisation for primary school children.

He was referring to research presented at a recent NEWB conference on school attendance by Canadian and OECD education expert Doug Willms. 

"Sport is cúl for school attendance in all senses of the word," he said.  "Participation in sport is both a goal of ours at the NEWB and it is something that children enjoy.

"If students participate in sports at school, they are more likely to enjoy their time at school, develop good relationships, learn better and want to attend school more," he continued. 

"Learning through sport can be fun.  Learning to compete, being part of a team, coping with success and disappointment and being physically active are all essential elements of every young person's overall development.  Sport helps children for life."

The NEWB is providing 2,000 sliothars and 2,000 footballs to Cumann na mBunscol to be used by children throughout the country in upcoming football, hurling and camogie competitions. 

Each ball is branded with the words "Every school day counts".

Armed with a giant sliothar and giant camán, children from Newtownmountkennedy National School along with GAA Stars Conal Keaney, camogie all-star Ciara Lucey, women's football star Niamh McEvoy and Wexford hurling star Malachy Travis played the "games of giants" in Croke Park for the launch.

Commenting on the initiative Margaret Cunningham, Cathaoirleach, Cumann na mBunscol said: "We see the benefits which sport can bring to children and young people at every practice session and every match. 

"It is an added benefit that we can work with the NEWB to promote the message that school is about so much more than just books and that activities like sport are often the reason why children come to, and stay in, school." 

An Every School Day Counts information section will be placed on the NEWB and the Cumann na mBunscol websites and the message will be promoted at regional and national finals.

Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta is now the largest sports organisation within the primary education system in Ireland.

All 32 counties on the island of Ireland, and in recent years London, Hertfordshire and Warwickshire have become affiliated to Cumann na mBunscol. 

Boys' and girls' football, hurling and camogie, handball and rounders are the games promoted by each County Coiste.