CABRA woman, Caroline Fitzpatrick, was shocked but delighted after winning a Spirit of the Games award at the Go for Life Games held in DCU earlier this month on June 11.
Now in its fifth year, the Go for Life Games is one of the biggest leisure sport events for older people in Ireland. Run by Age & Opportunity with support from Sport Ireland, the 2016 Games brought together over 300 players from across Ireland, its largest gathering yet.
The Spirit of the Games awards go to teams or individuals who encourage a spirit of fair play and solidarity during the final. Caroline’s constant encouragement and good humour on the day singled her out for the special award.
“I’m mortified; I never win anything,” an obviously shocked Caroline said when she heard she’d won.
“We had great fun, we really did. We were getting on great with the people playing against us. We weren’t really even thinking of points at all, just more the fun aspect of it.”
And when asked if her team would be back to fight another day, she added: “I feel wrecked now, I have to say, but hopefully we’ll be back.”
All of the teams, made up from Active Retirement groups, social clubs, Men’s Sheds, sports clubs and friendship groups, have been supported by their local sports partnerships.
They have been practicing, competing and coming through heats in their counties in order to compete in the finals.
The games themselves are devised specifically for Go for Life. ‘Lobbers’ is a target game adapted from petanque and boules while ‘Scidils’ is a two-sided adaptation of ten pin bowling but using two skittles.
‘Flisk’ is adapted from boccia and horseshoe pitching. These games, with clear rules and scoring systems, can be played and practiced by everyone, no matter what level of sporting ability and are great for developing balance, flexibility and concentration.
Mary Harkin, Sport & Physical Activity Manager in Age & Opportunity, was full of praise for the contestants.
“It’s at events like this that you can see how ‘getting older’ has changed in Ireland,” she said.
“People are getting more active as they age, are interested in their health and are more than happy to try something new.
“Every year, the laughter, banter and social interaction that the Games generates just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
“It is the mix of regular activity, socialising and a little competition that makes the Games such a success. Go for Life is keeping people happier and healthier as they age and that’s good news for everyone.”
To find out more about Go for Life in Dublin, contact Catherine Flood on 087-9449601 or Age & Opportunity on 01-8057733 or visit ageandopportunity.ie.