Press Release: Junior Gunners take centre stage at Emirates Stadium with The Daily Mile

JUNIOR GUNNERS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT EMIRATES STADIUM WITH THE DAILY MILE

Junior Gunners will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to run their own Daily Mile and take centre stage in the half-time Pitch Parade at Emirates Stadium, during the Arsenal v Southampton game on Saturday 23rd November.

The Daily Mile Foundation has proudly partnered with Islington Council, London Marathon Events and Arsenal to host a half-time event promoting the initiative, with the aim to encourage more young Londoners to get active.

Now one of the world’s biggest and most influential children’s health and fitness initiatives, The Daily Mile has more than 2.3 million children signed-up to take part across 71 countries. The ground-breaking initiative has already seen more than 5,300 schools and nurseries sign-up in England, alone.

The half-time event will celebrate the defining message that 15 minutes of daily activity is life changing for the health and wellbeing of everyone, regardless of age, ability, or personal circumstance. The Daily Mile’s association with Arsenal follows an inaugural ‘Daily Mile Day’ in July, organised by London Marathon Events and the club now hosts regular Daily Mile visits from schools on Fridays. In association with Islington Council, the club is now planning regular events at its landmark North London stadium in a bid to inspire more young people.

Junior Gunners and pupils from Drayton Park School will be joined on the pitch by The Daily Mile’s Founder, Elaine Wyllie MBE, who founded the initiative while Headteacher at a single primary school in Stirling, Scotland. She is now actively involved in rolling out the programme internationally.

Speaking about the upcoming half-time Pitch Parade Elaine said: “We are thrilled to be bringing The Daily Mile back to this iconic sporting venue and are inspired by the incredible support we’ve had from Islington Council and Arsenal Football Club whose combined influence will no doubt encourage more young people to see the importance of daily activity. Furthermore, on a personal level, my husband and I live in Burntisland, Scotland, which is where David Danskin, the founding member of Arsenal was born. I really believe this was meant to be!”

Headteacher of Drayton Park School, Annabelle Kapoor, said: “We love The Daily Mile! It fits brilliantly into our learning curriculum. The children can see themselves getting fitter and faster. The staff love it too, as it settles the children for learning and is an excellent social time for the class. Children run side-by-side, chatting and encouraging each other – they high-five their teachers as they go and challenge them to keep up! We are really excited and proud to be chosen to represent Islington schools at this event.”

Arsenal in the Community’s Healthy Living Coordinator, Joe Chaffey, commented: “We are delighted to be able to continue our support of The Daily Mile at our Premier League match against Southampton. Community focus has been deep-rooted in the Arsenal values since David Danskin founded the club in 1886 and we are proud to be able to use our influence today to help positively impact the lives of young people and inspire them to get active.”

Hugh Brasher, Event Director at London Marathon Events, said: “The Daily Mile is a fantastic initiative to get kids active. It not only helps them physically but also helps improve concentration and well-being throughout the school day. There are now over 700 primary schools signed up to The Daily Mile in London and we’re delighted that Arsenal have chosen to showcase the initiative at their game against Southampton.”

ENDS.

 

Media contacts

MediaZoo for The Daily Mile Foundation: Chris Hall chris.hall@mediazoo.tv – 07739 571 634

Arsenal Football Club: George Martindale – gmartindale@arsenal.co.uk – 07523 503 355

London Marathon Events: Lianne Hogan – lianne.hogan@londonmarathonevents.co.uk – 07921 465 111

Islington Council: Stephen Moore – stephen.moore2@islington.gov.uk – 020 7527 2307