Sports funding boost for older persons’ fitness

OLDER persons on the Northside can look forward to getting involved in more sporting activities in the new year thanks to a funding announcement from the Government. 

The ‘Go for Life’ National Grant Scheme which is a combined initiative from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland, will distribute almost €29,230 across 103 groups in Dublin. Nationwide over 1,000 groups will receive grants totalling almost €300,000. 

Darndale Belcamp Village Centre, Kilbarrack (St Benedict’s) ARA, Drumcondra Ladies’ Club, Swords Irish Countrywomen’s Association ( ICA), Whitehall ARA, Tús Nua Artane Coolock Family Resource Centre, Lusk ICA, Santry Community Resource Centre, Grange Woodbine Residents’ Association Seniors Club, Fairview Marino Tuesday Club, Dollymount ICA, Skerries ARA and Portmarnock ICA are among the Northside groups that will benefit from the funding announcement. 

The allocation brings the total grants allocated over the last 18 years to over 14,000 and the total fund allocated to date is €5.7 million.

The National Grant Scheme is widely recognised for its positive endeavours and encouragement of activity among older people. 

Brendan Griffin, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport, said the funding has not only supported older people, but empowered their age group to get more active more often.

“These allocations enable groups across Ireland to achieve activity goals for thousands of older people,” he said. 

“Programmes like ‘Go for Life’ are a great way to bring the National Physical Activity Plan into people’s lives. 

“They provide an accessible and enjoyable means for older people in communities nationwide to reap the health rewards from doing physical activity. 

“I am delighted to see that almost €300,000 has been allocated by Sport Ireland to the Go for Life grants to over one thousand groups this year.  

“This means that 30,000 older people will take part in sport and physical activity as a direct result of this grant scheme. This scheme is a wonderful way of promoting increased participation for older people.”

Speaking at the launch, John Treacy, chief executive of Sport Ireland, said the ‘Go for Life’ initiative continues to power ahead as a valuable resource in getting more older people active.

“We never cease to be amazed by the popularity and enthusiasm for the ‘Go for Life’ programme,” he said. “Sport Ireland, along with our partner Age & Opportunity work tirelessly to deliver opportunities and grants to as many deserving clubs and groups as is possible. 

“There has never been a greater focus on being active and understanding the benefit of keeping fit, and ‘Go for Life’ is indicative of that appetite in older age-groups.”

Karen Smyth, chief executive of Age & Opportunity, said the funding was an important milestone in keeping older age groups healthy and active. She said the allocation of grants ensured clubs and groups from all walks of life could benefit from the scheme.