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A sporting chance
Scots rugby legend Scott Hastings (SH) is a strong advocate for sport in schools, believing it is the foundation to help the nation tackle many of its physical and mental challenges.
What was your experience of health and wellbeing at school and how did it help to shape your attitudes to physical and mental fitness in later life?
SH: I was lucky that PE was given high priority when I was at school and that the teachers were all encouraged being involved in extra curricular sport. I was also a scout and experienced many camps, week-long hikes and outdoor play with friends. I was always out playing and with 3 brothers around there was always some sort of sport or competition going on in the Hastings household. This lay the foundations of my belief that only through hard work and dedication will it bring rewards. I still exercise and love seeing people out enjoying the fresh air and through my involvement in many sporting organisations; I hope to encourage more people whatever their age, to make exercise part of their daily life.
What do you see as the key benefits of an active interest in health and wellbeing within the modern curriculum?
SH: The key benefit for me is that exercise promotes health and well being. Not everyone enjoys sport but there are many forms of exercise that help stimulate the mind and body. Even a short brisk walk can really help. Exercise makes us more alert and lifts self esteem. If you are reading this and have not been out in the fresh air today - try to do 20minutes exercise and I'll guarantee it will make you feel better!
An active interest in Health and Wellbeing is absolutely essential. School is for many people their first experience of formalised learning and it is where lifelong habits begin to form. Health and Wellbeing must be an integral part of the modern curriculum and not something that is seen as a timetable filler.
When children start school we have a huge opportunity to put them on the path to a happier and healthier life. Education is not just about Mathematics and English, but life skills. It's about teaching the next generation the healthy option about allowing them to take control of their health for the better.
Physical Education cannot just be about the Cross Country run in December it should be about building from early years right through to adolescence the skills and abilities required for every child in Scotland to take part in whatever level.
When children enter the education system they could so easily be introduced to sedentary habits, sitting at desks, sitting on floors, staying still in the classroom, we need to show children the benefits of movement and exercise; but so too must teachers be empowered to use physical activity in learning.
Scotland, as a nation, suffers from a number of health related problems. How would you address this (your chance to bring in the pillars of the manifesto for sport)?
SH: I think no one is under any illusions of the state of Scotland's health, one look at the figures and it is self-evident. Tackling problems such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and many others is not a quick win however we can start to make a difference immediately
We all have a responsibility to contribute. The statutory provision of 2 hours of quality PE for every child during the week is a start, however we need to see this delivered universally. At the moment it is a bit of a postcode lottery if you stay in the catchment area of a school delivering the minimum of 2 hours then you're lucky, but we need to see every child across Scotland accessing this.
We also need to encourage parents to get involved in the local community and support their child's sport. Many people may not participate any more but that does not mean you can't take part. Volunteering is time intensive and anyone who has volunteered in the past will know that. We need to give more people the incentive and time to volunteer. Without the 150,000 volunteers operating in Scotland's sports clubs community sport would die in Scotland.
I also strongly believe that we cannot talk about physical activity without discussing Healthy eating and vice versa. For too long the Health agenda has focussed on Healthy eating alone, but it is evident that this is beginning to change. Eating healthily and taking exercise is the ultimate tag team in fighting obesity and coronary diseases in Scotland.
How did you become involved with Scottish Sports Association?
SH: The Scottish Sports Association launched Scotland's Sporting Chance: a manifesto for sport in Scotland in February 2010. The manifesto's aim was to inform the political parties in the run up to the Scottish Parliamentary elections.
The manifesto tackles three main areas in Scotland P.E; People; and Places all of which amount to enabling the nation to take part in sport and physical activity and improve the health of the nation.
I got involved with the campaign because I wanted to show the people of Scotland that through exercise and wellbeing we would become a fitter and healthier nation.
What does your work with them involve, and what have you learned from it?
SH: I am currently a director of the association and I am a member of the VoteforSport steering group. The campaign www.voteforsport.com aims to put sport on the political agenda. We need to ensure that all our politicians are actively involved in promoting sport. My work with the SSA involves meeting with politicians and people in the media to help raise the profile of sport in this country. There are many benefits that sport brings to Scotland; the sporting success gives pride to a nation. The financial benefits are enormous in terms of economic impact that sporting events bring and most importantly the health benefits will produce massive cost savings on our NHS system for years to come.
You were of course involved in international sport. What contribution do you think sport can play in the MENTAL wellbeing of the nation?
SH: I touched upon this earlier. Following exercise we all feel better and more alert. From a brisk walk to a gentle jog exercise makes a difference. There are many benefits to participating in team sports from learning about moral issues and discipline to bonding, socialising, raising self esteem and it is also fun. Scotland is a brilliant country and we all need to put exercise and sport onto our daily agenda. Sport brings a nation together and as we build towards the Commonwealth Games in 2014 it is a chance to show the world our fantastic country.
Pledge your support for sport
"Sport has for too long been in the political shadows in Scotland. I strongly believe that sport has a big role to play in Scottish society; it impacts on so many areas of life including education, health and communities."
This was independent MSP Margo MacDonald's opening speech as she launched the Scottish Sports Alliance's VoteforSport Pledge. The Pledge, which was also launched by Olympic curling star Rhona Martin MBE and Scottish rugby legend Scott Hastings, aims to raise the profile of sport prior to the Scottish elections in May 2011.
Margo, a former PE teacher, was the first MSP to sign up to the Pledge, which is asking all MSPs and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates to pledge to the following: "I pledge to recognise the unique role, value and potential of sport in Scottish society and, upon my election to the Scottish Parliament, I will act as a Scottish Sporting Champion throughout my term in Parliament."
Hopefully, the new Scottish Parliament will welcome a full compliment of Sporting Champions who will recognise and consider the role and contribution of sport to society and education in Scotland. This is reiterated by another supporter of VoteforSport and former PE teacher, Frank Dick OBE: "PE is incredibly important for Scotland's future. It's about setting the foundations for all people to enjoy sport and to value their health. As a proud sporting nation we must start taking pride in PE in our schools and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn about and grow to love sport and active living through PE."
The Pledge also provides an opportunity for you to sign up to say that sport is important to you.