A total of 1,064 groups across Ireland have been awarded grants totalling €300,000 of grants to fund physical activity for older people, classified as over 50, over the course of 2017.
The Go for Life Grant Scheme from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland has been in place since 2001 and has now distributed over €5 million in grant funding. The 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.
Sport is often seen as the preserve of the young and there is a major emphasis through schools and sports clubs to get young people playing sport. This is hugely important as it establishes lifelong behaviours but this scheme is equally noteworthy in reaching out to those who may have drifted away from physical activity or never been encouraged to take part.
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.
‘The National Physical Activity Plan, launched earlier this year, sets an ambitious target to get half a million people more active within ten years,” said Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan.
“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.”
Record Applications
“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 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, added Sport Ireland CEO John Treacy.
“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.”
“Research shows us that physical activity improves mental and physical wellbeing as well as providing opportunities for social networking,” said Karen Smyth, CEO of Age & Opportunity, outlining the importance of providing opportunities for older people to engage in sport and physical activity.
“Through the Go for Life Programme and the Grant Scheme we are helping get more older people, more active, more often.”
