The Burning Question: Should school sports be mandatory?

Fintan Gillespie

Yes, definitely. We have to do rugby or hockey for the first to third year. I think it is really important from a fitness point of view if nothing else.

In first year they really encourage you to play sport. Personally I like being in a school that has a proud sporting tradition. I play senior rugby and I really enjoy the game. It is also kind of nice that people give you a bit of respect when you're on the senior team.

Audrey Clarke

Yes. I wish someone had forced us to do some sport in 5th and 6th year, in fact the whole way through school. Then again I know there are some people who just refuse and get their parents to write a note. In that case there isn't a lot the teachers can do. I regret not getting involved. Our school won the All Ireland Basketball in '98 and were in the final in '99. The team had an American coach and was really motivated.

Kenneth Darker

I don't think you should have to do sport. In our school you have to do Gaelic or hurling. Most of us really just want to play soccer so it would encourage more people to be involved if we had that choice. I play Gaelic and I run. I really enjoy the running - we do crosscountry competitions. I find the training is tough but I enjoy it. I suppose as you get older and study increases it becomes more difficult to do sport as much.

Anna Gygax

Yes. I'm not particularly sporty but I think I could have benefitted from being involved more. Teenagers can be pretty lazy but I think if they were encouraged they would gain a lot - you can make good friends playing sport. I think being fit really helps when it comes to exams. You feel healthier and exercising helps to relieve stress. I think PE teachers have one of the hardest jobs trying to motivate people.

James McDonagh

No, definitely not. If people prefer to do something other than play sport they should. In first year everybody has to do rugby but there is quite a lot of pressure and I think it is better if you are motivated to do something yourself. I play soccer but there are also choices like squash or tennis. We're encouraged to do sport because it helps you later on to show you can do something as well as academic work but I think it can be quite difficult to juggle.