Press Release: NEW ZEALAND’S ALL BLACKS DO THE DAILY MILE WITH SCHOOL CHILDREN IN LYON
NEW ZEALAND’S ALL BLACKS DO THE DAILY MILE WITH SCHOOL CHILDREN IN LYON
Today, the All Blacks took time out of training to visit school children in Lyon to help inspire more children across France to get active through The Daily Mile.
61 local school children from école élémentaire Saint-Trivier-de-Courtes and école primaire de Jayat had the opportunity to take part in a very special Daily Mile with their guests from New Zealand and receive rugby skills coaching from All Blacks players at an event day hosted at Stade de Gerland. The one of a kind event also featured a live Q&A session, as well as a jersey signing opportunity for the children.
All Blacks player Aaron Smith said: “It’s fantastic to be in Lyon and to be here supporting The Daily Mile. We’ve been so impressed by the work they are doing to get kids more active around the world and bring communities together through daily exercise – it’s something so simple but effective that everyone can benefit from. Myself and the team have enjoyed running alongside the kids and teaching them some of our favourite rugby skills!”
The Daily Mile initiative was started by former Head Teacher Elaine Wyllie MBE of St Ninian’s Primary in Stirling, Scotland in 2012 and has grown every year, with the support of INEOS. In France, there are over 80,000 children taking part in The Daily Mile each day, from across 628 schools. Globally, there are now more than 4.5 million children taking part in 18,500+ schools in 95 countries around the world. It is endorsed by some of the most successful athletes including marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, the most successful Olympic sailor of all time Sir Ben Ainslie and the All Blacks.
Founder of The Daily Mile Elaine Wyllie MBE, said: “We are forever grateful for the incredible support we receive from athletes around the world and we can’t thank the All Blacks enough for taking time out of their busy schedules to come down and share their passion for daily exercise with the local schoolchildren. Their influence really does go a long way to inspire children to get active outdoors and join in with their schoolmates. Just 15 minutes of daily physical activity improves a child’s mood, concentration and memory – enhancing their ability to learn.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS and supporter of The Daily Mile said: “We know that the positive experiences we have at a young age shape habits for life – which is why it’s so key to help young children enjoy getting active daily. Running is the simplest, most natural exercise you can do, it’s fun and social, and it helps to teach the basics of a healthy lifestyle. As childhoods become more sedentary than ever, we’re proud that The Daily Mile initiatives have helped over 4 million children get up and running since 2012 – and are inspiring their families, too.”
This event has also marked the launch of an exciting partnership between The Daily Mile and the National Observatory on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour (ONAPS). As part of the partnership, ONAPS will support the continued adoption of The Daily Mile initiative by schools across France as an effective method of increasing physical activity in children. Through this partnership, ONAPS will also undertake research into the impact that taking part in the Daily Mile has on the physical, social and mental health of children in France.
Lucile Bruchet, Operational Director at ONAPS has said: “It is a genuine privilege to be part of a fulfilling long-term partnership with The Daily Mile – a legacy that we aim to amplify on a national scale, enriching not only our educational system but also influencing government policies.”
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Media Contacts
Andrew McLachlan andrew@mediazoo.tv +447931377162
Dave Clark dave.clark@mediazoo.tv +44(0)7545330740
The Daily Mile contacts
Thomas Manfredini thomas.manfredini@ineos.com
Hannah Oakes Hannah@thedailymile.co.uk
Tilly McAuliffe Tilly@thedailymile.co.uk