Forty-five Mayo groups receive €13,440 to fund physical activity for older people
AGE & Opportunity is today marking the distribution of its Active National Grant that provides significant funding for sport and physical activity amongst older people.
The scheme is a combined initiative from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland and this year it is providing €13,440 to 45 groups in Mayo.
The successful Mayo groups are: Achill Men’s Shed, Balla Community Resources Development CLG, Ballina Carers Support Group, Ballina Dragon (Meitheal Abhainn) Boat Club, Ballina Textile Group, Ballindine/Irishtown ARA, Ballycroy Women's Group, Ballyhaunis Active Retirement Association, Ballyheane Woman's Group, Behy ICA, Bonniconlon ICA, Brickens Logboy Tulrahan Housing Ass., Cairdeas Kilmovee Family Resource Centre (Kilkelly outreach FRC), Castlebar ICA, Charlestown & District Development Association, Coillte Pickleballers, Cong The Neale Young at Heart Club, Crossmolina Community Council CLG, Foxford Alzheimer's & Community Trust CLG, Hi-noon club (Tithe Cois Tra), ICA Crossmolina Guild, Irish Wheelchair Association Belmullet, Kilcommon Activity Group for the Elderly, Kilglass Enniscrone United FC Walking Football, Kilkelly ICA, Kilmovee Swimming Pool and Aqua Club, Knockmore/Rathduff Women's Group, Lacken Carer's Support Group, Lacken Community Care, Louisburgh Senior Resource Committee, Mayo Sports Partnership, Meelick ICA, Moygownagh Community Alert/Text Alert, Moy ICA Guild, Mulranny ICA, Newport Pickleball, Shrule Active Over 55s, Swinford Go Getters, the Irish Wheelchair Association Mayo, Westport ARA, Westport Carers Group, Westport Ladies Social Group, Westport Men's Shed, Westport Tennis Club, Young at Heart Parke Castlebar ARA.
Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, said: “We are committed to a Sport for All approach aimed at ensuring that all persons have the opportunity to partake equally in sport and physical activity, regardless of age or social-economic status.
“The funding provided through the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme will support sporting organisations in putting programmes in place designed to increase participation in recreational sports by older people and so gain significant physical and mental health benefits.”
Pickleball and walking football continue to grow in popularity and are named in over 40 applications.
Sport Ireland CEO Dr. Úna May said: "Being active is the key to healthy aging, and this funding is vital in building an Ireland where older adults have more opportunities to stay active and socially connected.
“Sport Ireland’s Local Sports Partnerships do tremendous work in encouraging people to get involved in physical activity as a means of promoting a healthy lifestyle - and the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme will allow them to continue to work in that area.
“We know from the Irish Sport Monitor report that participation levels among older people are on the rise so it’s important that there are opportunities for people over the age of 50 to be involved in a variety of sports. It makes a real difference in our communities."
Sue Guildea, Active Programme Manager, Age & Opportunity, welcomed the ongoing partnership with Sport Ireland.
"I would like to thank Sport Ireland for their continued support and commitment. I am especially happy to share that this year, 340 successful applications have come from designated disadvantaged areas. Another 80 applications have been awarded to care settings, many of whom have CarePALs, who are staff or volunteers who have completed training with us to help support them to increase the levels of physical activity of those in their care.
"The importance of meaningful activities in these environments cannot be overstated.
"While we celebrate the progress made, there is always more to be done. Our commitment to advocating for policies and initiatives that empower older people remains steadfast."