Getting children involved in competitive sports at school could help them to build skills which they will need later in life.

This is according to Steve Grainger, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust (YST), who pointed out getting involved in team sports is likely to make kids feel better about themselves and allow them to work more effectively as a team by building their confidence.

"There are real health benefits from being involving in sport - not just physical benefits, but mental health benefits, too. Those things [are] really important life skills," he added.

In May, research from the YST showed that while 87 per cent of schoolchildren are eager to try out an Olympic or Paralympic sport, almost half of the activities have been out of reach for 93 per cent of kids.

This follows recent news that the Irish Preschool Playgroup Association is to launch a new play manifesto amid fears that parents are wrapping their kids in cotton wool, the Irish Times reported.

Written by Donal Walsh

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