• Number of grant applications has increased by 125% since launch of scheme in 2001
• Almost €300,000 awarded to clubs and groups nationwide this year
• The Grant Scheme has awarded over €5million during its lifetime

A total of 1,064 groups across Ireland are celebrating the awarding of grants to fund physical activity for older people (over 50). The Go for Life Grant Scheme from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland today announced grants totalling almost €300,000. These 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.  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.

Announcing the successful grantees at the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West, in Limerick, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD, said:

‘The National Physical Activity Plan, launched earlier this year, sets an ambitious target to get half a million people more active within ten years.  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. 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.’

Karen Smyth, CEO of Age & Opportunity, outlined the importance of providing opportunities for older people to engage in sport and physical activity: “Researchshows us that physical activity improves mental and physical wellbeing as well as providing opportunities for social networking.  Through our Go for Life Programme and the Grant Scheme we are helping get more older people, more active, more often. Those participating in the Games today are testament to the impact these grants have in local communities, empowering older people to keep fit and healthy on their own terms. The variety of groups who apply and the activities they are engaged in demonstrates the richness and variety of the ageing experience in Ireland.”

The Grant Scheme is part of Age & Opportunity’s Go for Life programme, and is funded by Sport Ireland and delivered nationally with the support of the Local Sports Partnerships and the HSE. The goal of the scheme is to encourage older people to get involved in sport and physical activity in their communities and the funds allocated are used by groups to buy equipment, run sports events or to try new activities. Now in its sixteenth year, it has so far awarded over €5million in almost 12,000 grants during its lifetime.   Applications have increased each year since the launch of the National Grant Scheme in 2001.  This year saw a record number of applications and a record number of grants awarded. 27% of successful applications were from designated disadvantaged areas.

Speaking at the launch, John Treacy, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland said: “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.  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. I also want to acknowledge the groups themselves, and our own national network of Local Sports Partnerships who provide opportunities to increase participation among older people in sport and physical activity”.