Funds supporting physical activity for older people, including for diverse activities such as pickleball, kurling, tai chi and aqua aerobics, have been announced, with several local clubs and societies across the catchment benefitting.
In total, €28,510 has been awarded to 98 Cork groups from the Grant Scheme, which is a combined initiative from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland. This year’s scheme is providing €300,000 in total to support sport and physical activities run by 988 groups and organisations, ranging from Active Retirement Groups, ICAs, Men’s/Women’s Sheds, Physical Activity Leaders (PALs), care settings and other sports and social groups.
The successful Cork groups include Ballyhooly Community Council, Carrignavar ICA, Fermoy and District ARA, Kilbehenny Comminity Centre CLG, Kilworth Active Retirement Group, Leamlara ICA, Lisgoold ICA, Midleton Men’s Shed, St. Joseph’s Foundation, Whitechurch & Waterloo Active Retired Pitt & Putt Group, Whitechurch Tennis Club.
Galtee Gaels GAA Club along with Glenroe Ballyorgan Active Group are local recipients in County Limerick, where €17,020 has been allocated to 58 different groups.
Ballyporeen Ladies Club and Galbally Active Retirement Association are among the 37 clubs in County Tipperary to benefit from an allocation of €11,080 across the county. While some of the groups to benefit from an allocations of €6,350 in County Waterford include Blackwater Ladies Group, Deise Pickleball, Deise Women’s Group and Waterford Greenway Joggers AC.
Of the funding allocations, grants were awarded to 188 Irish Countrywomen’s Association Guilds, 243 Active Retirement Groups, 64 Men’s sheds and 30 Women’s sheds, 81 care settings and many more groups.
Every year approximately 32,000 older people take part in physical activity funded by the Grant Scheme. Activities funded include pickleball, aqua aerobics, rowing, dancing, cycling, bowling, self-defence, walking hockey, tai chi, walking, weight-lifting and so many more.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May noted that sports participation is on the rise amongst older people.
“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,” she said.
The Grant Scheme is part of Age & Opportunity’s Active programme, funded by Sport Ireland, and delivered nationwide with the support of the HSE and Local Sports Partnerships, where just under €8 million has been awarded to date by the scheme.
