Mr. Kevin Creery:

My name is Kevin Creery and like Ms Heneghan I am a primary schoolteacher and PE co-ordinator in County Armagh. During my 20 years of teaching, like Ms Heneghan, I have seen the effects of the increasing problem we now face in society, namely, inactivity, on children in classrooms.

Pupils in my classroom and school are presenting as lethargic, tired and disinterested not only in sport but in many areas of school life and, as mentioned by Ms Heneghan in her presentation, in their changing body shapes. This inactivity is growing rapidly because of increased sedentary lifestyles, increased technological advancement and the lifestyle choices now prevalent in society. While inactivity is the problem, obesity is the consequence. According to statistics, child and teen obesity in Ireland has increased tenfold since 1975, such that within a decade Ireland will be the most obesely populated country in Europe.

In a typical classroom in Ireland, only one third of children participate in GAA, soccer and rugby, which leaves two thirds of school children with no pathway to activity. Combined with poor physical education delivery by teachers bereft of experience, training and resources school children are sitting longer and are less physically active. I will now hand over to my colleague, Mr. Liam McCorry.