Following a successful pilot in 2016, over 150 pupils from 5 schools across the province joined at Kingspan Stadium to engage in the Ulster Rugby health and wellbeing initiative, supported by the Public Health Agency.
The programme seeks to educate pupils on aspects of physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing by engaging in both practical and information based workshops addressing 3 key areas; mental resilience and positive mindset, physical activity and nutrition.
Each workshop sought to give pupils information and skills they could take away to utilise and apply in everyday situations to improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Pupils also enjoyed a tour of Kingspan Stadium and spent time learning about the history of rugby in Ulster within The Nevin Spence centre.
John Creighton, a teacher from Belfast Royal Academy commented:
"It was a hugely enjoyable and beneficial day for our pupils. To be able to engage in and learn about the theory behind good nutritional habits, physical activity and mental resilience skills to improve health and wellbeing will undoubtedly benefit the pupils both presently in their studies and sport, as well as in years to come. The staff at Ulster Rugby made this day what it was."
Pupils who attended the programme reported an understanding in the connection between physical and mental health and how daily physical activity, good nutritional practices, and engaging with friends and family as well as positive recreational activities can positively impact both types of health.
The schools' health and wellbeing programme forms a key aspect of our wider Health and Wellbeing Strategy 'Rugby at the Heart of the Community'.
The strategy seeks to ensure that Ulster Rugby continues to promote a positive social experience, whereby people feel connected and fulfilled by a lifelong involvement in rugby union. The vision for the strategy is to meet the needs of the person, the player, the club and the community.
Download:
- Rugby at the Heart of the Community
- Take 5 Flyer
The programme seeks to educate pupils on aspects of physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing by engaging in both practical and information based workshops addressing 3 key areas; mental resilience and positive mindset, physical activity and nutrition.
Each workshop sought to give pupils information and skills they could take away to utilise and apply in everyday situations to improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Pupils also enjoyed a tour of Kingspan Stadium and spent time learning about the history of rugby in Ulster within The Nevin Spence centre.
John Creighton, a teacher from Belfast Royal Academy commented:
"It was a hugely enjoyable and beneficial day for our pupils. To be able to engage in and learn about the theory behind good nutritional habits, physical activity and mental resilience skills to improve health and wellbeing will undoubtedly benefit the pupils both presently in their studies and sport, as well as in years to come. The staff at Ulster Rugby made this day what it was."
Pupils who attended the programme reported an understanding in the connection between physical and mental health and how daily physical activity, good nutritional practices, and engaging with friends and family as well as positive recreational activities can positively impact both types of health.
The schools' health and wellbeing programme forms a key aspect of our wider Health and Wellbeing Strategy 'Rugby at the Heart of the Community'.
The strategy seeks to ensure that Ulster Rugby continues to promote a positive social experience, whereby people feel connected and fulfilled by a lifelong involvement in rugby union. The vision for the strategy is to meet the needs of the person, the player, the club and the community.
Download:
- Rugby at the Heart of the Community
- Take 5 Flyer