EU Report finds Irish Schools providing less PE than most countries in Europe

Mar 28, 2013

The Eurydice Report published on March 23^rd 2013 which looked at physical education (PE) in 28 European Countries, found that Irish primary school pupils in Europe receive less time on physical education (PE) than other schoolchildren in Europe. Whilst at secondary level only three countries spend less time than is made available in Irish schools.

The report finds that the time dedicated to taught PE varies significantly from country to country highlighting that for example, whilst Irish primary schools in 2011/2012 were recommended to provide 37 hours compared to 108 hours in France. The study makes the point that across Europe the time allocated to PE is considerably less than that prescribed for other subjects particularly, at primary level – a fact it says reveals the subject is generally perceived as less important.

This is despite the fact, as highlighted by the report, that physical education at school not only contributes to the immediate fitness and good health of pupils but also helps young people to perform and understand physical activity better with positive lifelong repercussions.

The study details that in some countries mandatory activities are prescribed whereas in others it is entirely at the school’s discretion. Ireland falls in this latter category and is amongst only six countries where this is the case. Where activities are mandatory, prescribed games (usually ball games) and gymnastics are the most popular.

These findings are interesting in the context of the Government’s stated intention to provide for assessment of PE at Junior Cert level as an optional short course. Currently Ireland is the only country not to assess PE at either primary or secondary school. Neither Malta nor Norway has formal assessment for PE at primary level only.

One third of the countries that took part in the survey are currently planning reforms to PE. Finland and Portugal are intending to raise the profile of PE by increasing the minimum taught time. Greece and Hungry are working to improve the diversity of the offering during PE whilst, reforms in many countries are seeking to improve the conditions in which PE is delivered and promote the training of those who teach it.

The findings would seem to support the findings of the 2010 Irish Sports Council sponsored research carried out by DCU, UCC and UL which looked at children’s participation in sport and physical activity. This report found that only 35% of primary and 10% of secondary school students were obtaining the recommended minimum levels of PE as set out by the Department of Education with girls receiving less PE time than boys.

A full copy of the Eurydice Report can be downloaded by clicking here

The 2010 Chidlren’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study can be viewed by clicking here 

International Body finds little improvement in number of women in senior leadership positions in Sport

Mar 28, 2013

SportAccord, the umbrella body for international sports federations, has released its latest fact sheet on women in leadership positions in international sport. The report found that the amount of women in decision making bodies amongst its membership had remained static at 13% despite the fact that 71 such positions had opened up since they last published their factsheet in February 2012. The report also found that 25% of their members had no women on decision making bodies.

Sarah Keane, CEO, Swim Ireland

This is despite and International Olympic Committee (“IOC”) having set an objective that National Olympic Committees, International and National Sports Federations would look to reserve 20% of decision-making positions for women within their structures.

The release of the SportAccord factsheet follows on from the release by the UK’s Women Sport and Fitness Foundation (“WSFF”) of their 2013 female leadership audit which looked at 57 National Governing Bodies in England. They too found that the percentage of women in board positions of those National Governing Bodies remained static at 22% up only 1% since the first such audit was conducted in 2009.The WSFF Report found:

• 33 of the 57 National Governing Bodies did not meet target of 25% female board representation
• 6 National Governing Bodies did not have any female representation at all
• 9 sports had a female CEO

The WSFF stated they found the findings of the report particularly disappointing given the extent of female sporting success during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They pointed out that only 58 additional women would be needed to ensure all 57 boards surveyed met the recommended guideline of 25%

Interestingly, sports bodies have become the focus for a Australian and UK initiative “Women on Boards” an organisation that is established for women looking to leverage their professional skills and experience into leadership roles. The first of such discussions can be viewed by clicking here whilst a second such event is planned for November.

The SportAccord factsheet can be viewed here

Details of the WSFF audit can be seen here

FIS talks to Diageo Ireland on the benefits for sport and business through Corporate Social Responsibility

Mar 28, 2013

In 2012 Diageo Ireland donated over €1m to charities, community groups and social entrepreneurs across Ireland through initiatives such as the Arthur Guinness Fund, Gifted, and Double Your Fundraising. In addition to this, Diageo Ireland supports many community and sporting organisations and events in Ireland.

Ailish Forde, Head of Public Policy, Industry Affairs & Corporate Social Responsibility, Diageo Ireland

Diageo Ireland, has a long tradition of supporting communities and sport in Ireland, do you see potential for businesses in improving their CSR programmes through sporting engagement?

AF: Sporting organisations are at the heart of so many communities As a country we love sport and it is important for business to promote sport .  Here in Diageo, we also find that it is really valuable in engaging employees, many of whom are involved in sporting organisations, and are delighted to get involved in our CSR activity.

In 2009 Diageo Ireland set up the Arthur Guinness Fund, what instigated this change in approach to CSR and what benefits has Diageo Ireland gained from the programme?

AF: The creation of the Arthur Guinness Fund is a source of great pride to us here in Diageo. It’s true to the core values of the Guinness brand and everything it stands for. It’s in keeping with Arthur Guinness’s entrepreneurial and innovative spirit and it’s a great tribute to the remarkable man that he was.  We wanted to do something special to mark the Guinness 250^th anniversary in 2009, and to create a cornerstone for our CSR activity.

The Fund supports and empowers social entrepreneurs who have projects and initiatives that are innovative, sustainable and benefit communities across Ireland.  Social entrepreneurs are people who look at a specific issue or problem and try to address it in an innovative and creative way.   Since 2009 thirty projects have been selected for support from the Fund.

To date the Fund has distributed €3m to Irish social entrepreneurs as well as practical support and business mentoring for all our awardees.  For us, it embodies the spirit of Diageo and the Guinness brand – doing business by doing good.

The Arthur Guinness Fund supports innovative social entrepreneurs not only financially but through mentoring and workshops, do you see sport as playing a future role in putting forward projects for consideration?

AF: Absolutely.  When we look at people and organisations that benefit communities in Ireland, sport always comes to mind. We would love to see more sports projects, particularly given the Guinness brand’s long association with sporting events.

What advice would you give to any sports organisation looking to secure funding under any of your CSR programmes? 

AF: In any of the organisations we support through our CSR activity, we look for projects that make a real difference to the lives of people across Ireland every day.  Whether in a small community or nationally, making a difference is what matters, and what influences our decision to provide support.

Many thanks for taking the time to talk to us, finally what was your personal highlight of the sporting year 2012 and anything you are particularly looking forward to in 2013?

AF: Europe winning the Ryder Cup was definitely a highlight – a real example of self –belief and commitment.  For 2013, our national sport of hurling is a highlight for me and I look forward to watching it. I also look forward to supporting Irish rugby and in particular Munster and Leinster rugby and I wish them both the best in their upcoming respective European competitions.

For more information on Diageo Irelands CSR programmes see below:

http://www.diageo.com/en-ie/csr/Pages/CSR-in-Ireland.aspx

http://www.businessandleadership.com/leadership/item/38921-diageo-donated-more-than-1

To read Beyond Sport’s Research on CSR:

http://assets.sportanddev.org/downloads/beyond_sport_official_research_on_csr.pdf