More Women than Men in Mayo / Sligo now participating more regularly in Sport

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring TD recently launched The Irish Sports Council, Report of Participation in Sport by Adults in Mayo & Sligo. The report has been developed using data from the Irish Sports Council Irish Sports Monitor survey as a means of accurately monitoring and tracking active and social participation in sport among adults in Ireland.

In launching the report Minister Ring said: "The value of participating in sport and physical activity cannot be underestimated; even small improvements in participation levels will confer health, social and economic benefits both for the individual and for society as a whole. I am delighted to say that 48.1% of residents in Mayo/Sligo take part in sport regularly".

To view the full report please click on this link http://www.mayosports.ie/media/Media,26688,en.pdf

The key findings to emerge from the report are the high levels of participation in sport among females and that there is no gender gap in participation in sport in Mayo / Sligo. The report also highlights a range of other positive findings including:

· Women (49.0%) participate slightly more than men (47.1%).

· Exercise and swimming are the most popular activities overall.

· The proportion of women taking part in running is higher than the national average.

· Over 64% of Mayo/Sligo residents take part in recreational walking, women (71.1%) are more likely to take part than men (57.8%).

· Almost 50% take part in some form of social participation, either belonging to a club, volunteering for sport or attending a sporting event.

John Treacy, Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council commented "The Irish Sports Council has made increasing participation in sport and physical activity a key strategic priority. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the vital work of Mayo & Sligo Sports Partnership in encouraging people to become more active in their communities".

Locally Mayo Sports Partnership has been to the fore in developing initiatives which targets groups such as women, unemployed, people with a disability, ethnic miniorities, disadvantaged youth etc.

Sports Co-ordinator Charlie Lambert added " While programmes such Couch to 5K, Meet and Train, West of Ireland Womens Mini Marathon have been hugely beneficial to increasing participation amongst women, we are now through our Men on the Move initiative targeting men aged 30 plus to become more active. This Autumn will see 12 areas throughout the county promoting this programme".

More information can be found by contacting Mayo Sports Partnership at 094 9047025, or log on to their website at www.mayosports.ie