Go for Life Grant success for 43 Older Groups in Mayo

Mayo groups will receive a total of €12,360 to fund physical activity for older people.

Almost €300,000 awarded to clubs and groups nationwide
The Go for Life Grant Scheme enables 30,000 Irish older people to get engaged in physical activity

A total of 43 groups in Mayo ( see attached ) are celebrating the awarding of grants to fund physical activity for older people (aged over 50). The Go for Life Grant Scheme from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland is awarding almost €12,000 to groups around Mayo. These grants are aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of older people across the country by providing them with opportunities to engage in physical activity and sport. Grant recipients include Active Retirement Groups, ICA guilds, Local Sports Partnerships, Sports Clubs, Family Resources Centres and many others who provide older people with opportunities to get active.

Announcing the successful grantees at the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West, in Limerick, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O'Donovan TD, said:

‘The National Physical Activity Plan, launched earlier this year, sets an ambitious target to get half a million people more active within ten years. Programmes like Go for Life and the National Grant Scheme will help us reach this target by supporting and empowering older people to get active. The fact that approximately 30,000 people will take part in the activities funded by the grants shows what results can be achieved with a small investment and the record number of applications shows the continued importance of the scheme for local groups throughout the country.'

The successful Mayo groups are: Cara Iorrais, Irish Wheelchair Association Castlebar, Young at Heart Parke Castlebar ARA, Ballyheane "55" Club ARA, Claremorris ARA, Rehab Care Mayo,

Arthritis Ireland Mayo Branch, Retired Secondary Teachers Association (Mayo Branch),

Charlestown ARA, Bonniconlon ICA, Westport ICA, St. Colman's Care Centre, Ballina Lions Club, Ceimeanna Inver, Ballina ICA, Ballyglass Active Age, Mayo Sports Partnership, Ballyhaunis ARA

Foxford ARA, Claremorris Leisure Centre, Clar IRD, Meelick ICA, Balla ARA, Mulranny ICA,

St. Dominick's Housing Association, Ballina ARA, Knockmore/Rathduff Women's Group,

Westport Ladies Social Group, Cliara Development Companym, Killala Community Council Newstart Ltd, Castlebar Social Services, Thursday Club, Kilmovee Active Age Group, Behy ICA, Hi-noon club (Tithe Cois Tra), Castlebar ICA, Comharchumann Forbartha Cill tSeadhna Teo, Ballinrobe ARA, Lacken, Carer's Support Group, Lacken Community Care, Islandeady Cycling Group ,Moy ICA

Irish Wheelchair Association, Belmullet, Mulranny ARA

"Karen Smyth, CEO of Age & Opportunity, outlined the importance of providing opportunities for older people to engage in sport and physical activity: "Research shows us that physical activity improves mental and physical wellbeing as well as providing opportunities for social networking. Through our Go for Life Programme and the Grant Scheme we are helping get more older people, more active, more often. Those participating in the Games today are testament to the impact these grants have in local communities, empowering older people to keep fit and healthy on their own terms. The variety of groups who apply and the activities they are engaged in demonstrates the richness and variety of the ageing experience in Ireland."

The Grant Scheme is part of Age & Opportunity's Go for Life programme, and is funded by Sport Ireland and delivered nationally with the support of the Local Sports Partnerships and the HSE. The goal of the scheme is to encourage older people to get involved in sport and physical activity in their communities and the funds allocated are used by groups to buy equipment, run sports events or to try new activities. Now in its sixteenth year, it has so far awarded over €5million in almost 12,000 grants during its lifetime. Applications have increased each year since the launch of the National Grant Scheme in 2001. This year saw a record number of applications and a record number of grants awarded. 27% of successful applications were from designated disadvantaged areas.

Speaking at the launch, John Treacy, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland said: "The National Grant Scheme continues to grow in importance, as demonstrated by the record number of groups who have applied this year and the record number of grants awarded. Increasing participation in sport and physical activity is one of Sport Ireland's key strategic priorities. We are delighted to partner with Age & Opportunity's Go for Life Programme, to increase participation among older people in recreational sport activities. I also want to acknowledge the groups themselves, and our own national network of Local Sports Partnerships who provide opportunities to increase participation among older people in sport and physical activity".

Mayo Sports Partnership assists groups and organisations across the county in providing participation opportunities including Active 55, Go for Life Games, County Boccia League, Walking Programmes and Physical Activity Leader training (PALs) for community activists. To find our more about any of the above initiatives please contact Sports Inclusion Officer Ray Mc Namara at 094-9047023.