- Key target to involve all 32 local authorities is met
Scottish children have stepped their way into the history books
as the country is confirmed as the world’s first Daily Mile
Nation.
Around 187,000 school children in all of Scotland’s local
authority areas are getting active for at least fifteen minutes a
day meeting the criteria agreed with the Daily Mile Foundation.
More than half of primary schools are now signed up to the Daily
Mile.
The initiative is proven to improve the wellbeing of children
across the country, as part of wider efforts to improve
overall health and reduce the pressure on the NHS over winter.
It was started by former Head Teacher Elaine Wyllie of St
Ninian’s Primary in Stirling in 2012 and has grown every year -
extending beyond schools into communities and workplaces and
encouraging more people in Scotland to get on the move.
The Scottish Football Association is backing the initiative using
its extensive network of community clubs to promote the role of
physical activity in health and wellbeing.
Public Health Minister said:
“We want Scotland to become a nation where more people are more
active, more often. The benefits of instilling these habits early
are plain to see – children will see the joy of walking, running
or wheeling which will boost their health in the long term, and
reduce the strain on our NHS.
“I try to do a Daily Mile whenever I can and there is no doubt I
always feel better for it.
“I consider this initiative to be one of Scotland’s best exports
– building on our success, other home nations and countries
around the world are now embracing The Daily Mile
initiative. Scotland continues to lead the way on a global
scale.”
Daily Mile UK Partnership Manager Fiona Paterson said:
“In our joint strategy published in 2020, The Daily Mile
Foundation and the Scottish Government set out the key targets
which would signify that Scotland could be recognised as the
world’s first Daily Mile nation.
“We are delighted to announce that these targets have been met
and that the foundations have been laid for further work to
continue to embed the INEOS backed Daily Mile across the
country’.
Ms Wylie said:
“From one school in Stirling to Scotland to becoming a Daily Mile
Nation, I am incredibly proud of all the schools, teachers and
children that have helped us achieve this milestone and I would
like to take this opportunity to thank them and our partners
across Scotland.
“The Daily Mile was created by children which I truly believe is
why it has been so successful and is now reaching nearly 4
million children around the world."
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said:
“The Scottish FA recognises the unique reach of football and the
importance that physical activity can play in the health and
wellbeing of children and young people in this country, and we
are thrilled to support this initiative as Scotland becomes the
world’s first Daily Mile Nation.
“Opportunities to exercise on and off the pitch should be
available to everyone and through our network of community
football clubs and local partners, we are ready to play our part
and use the power of football to inspire the country to become
more active.”
Background
The Daily Mile Scotland:
National strategy
