Kilkenny groups get funding boosts to promote exercise for older people

Twenty six groups in Kilkenny will receive funding for sport and physical activity amongst older people. 

The grant scheme is a combined initiative from Age & Opportunity andSport Ireland. This year it is providing €6,790to 26 groups in Kilkenny.

The grant scheme is a combined initiative from Age & OpportunityandSport Irelandwith funding provided by the Government of Ireland. This year it is providing over €300,000 to support sport and physical activities run by 1,167 groups and organisations. These range from Active Retirement Groups, ICAs, Men’s/Women’s Sheds, Physical Activity Leaders (PALs), care settings and other sports and social groups. 

Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, said: “Today’s funding announcement is very welcome news as the Government endeavours to providepeople ofall ages with the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity. The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme has a positive impact on communities across Ireland and helps to provide opportunities forolder peopleto get involved in sport and physical activity. I want to thank Age & Opportunity for their excellent work and I wish them continued success in their valuable work for communities all across Ireland.”

By financially supporting organisations to buy equipment and host activities specifically designed for older people, the grant helps older people reap the health benefits of being active. 

Speaking about the grant, Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May commented: "Today’s grant funding is helping to create an Ireland where more older people can be more active and more connected. The long-running Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme has proven an excellent resource and I also want to acknowledge our own national network of Local Sports Partnerships who do wonderful work in communities across the country.”

Karen Horgan, CEO of Age & Opportunity, welcomed the ongoing partnership with Sport Ireland. 

“Today’s grant funding is helping us create an Ireland where more older people are more active and more connected. We are delighted to note the number of successful applications from sports clubs who are seeing an increase in the numbers of older people joining their activities. Indeed many of them are specifically organising courses to cater for older persons.” 

“We are also delighted that this year 414 successful applications were from designated disadvantaged areas. In addition, there were 105 successful applications from care settings. The renewed focus on providing meaningful activities in these settings is particularly welcome given the impact that Covid-19 has had on older people in these settings.”

Of today’s funding allocations, grants were awarded to 20 Local Sports Partnerships, 199 Irish Countrywomen’s Association Guilds, 269 Active Retirement Groups, 57 Men’s sheds and 19 Women’s sheds. 

Every year approximately 32,000 older people take part in physical activity funded by the Grant Scheme. Activities funded include aqua aerobics, rowing, dancing, cycling, clay pigeon shooting, bowling, self-defence, walking tennis, tai chi, walking and weight-lifting. 

The successful Kilkenny groups are:Ashgrove Pitch and Putt,  Ballyfoyle and District ARA, Ballyouskill ICA, Ballyragget ARA, Carrick-on-Suir ARA, Castlecomer Active Retirement, Clara Senior Services, Clogh ICA, DGK Menshed, Going Strong Club, Graiguenamanagh Canoe Club, Johnswell and District ARA, Kilfane Handball Club, Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership, Muckalee Community Centre Ltd, Mullinavat and District Active Retirement, Multiple Sclerosis Ireland Wexford, Newpark Close Community Development CLG, Shamrocks Gaa Ballyhale Healthy Club, Slieverue And District Active Retirement, SOS Kilkenny CLG, St Mullins ICA, Stoneyford Active Retirement Group, St Senans Athletic Club, The Mill Family Resource Centre FRC and Tory Hill ICA Guild.