Sport For Life as Grants Announced for over 1,000 Groups and Clubs

The Go for Life Small Grant Scheme winners were announced today. Over 1,000 groups and clubs around Ireland will get grants under the scheme to get Ireland's older population moving. The winners were announced today by Minister Michael Ring, Minister with responsibility for Tourism and Sport, in Dublin's Alexander Hotel. Go for Life is an Age & Opportunity initiative funded by the Irish Sports Council.

The scheme is aimed at encouraging older people to get involved with sport and physical activities. The money is used by groups to buy equipment, run sports events or to try new activities. It has, over the years, awarded over €4million in almost 9,000 grants during its lifetime. This is the first time the scheme has broken the 1,000 grant barrier and 27,000 older people will take part in physical activity funded by these grants.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Ring said "Three years ago, I attended my first Go for Life event celebrating the first 10 years of the programme. I was struck by the enthusiasm and energy surrounding the programme. All of the Go for Life events I have attended since then have been the same. Seeing the drive and energy of over 1,000 volunteer physical activity leaders shows me what a national programme supporting local activity can achieve." He also praised the joint effort that makes Go for Life happen: "The partnership between the Irish Sports Council and Age & Opportunity has put older people very much on the national agenda for sport and physical activity."

Go for Life Manager, Mary Harkin, is delighted with the response to this year's scheme: "At Go for Life, it is important for us that older people continue to get access to the spread of games, sports and activities to stay active and healthy. All adults, no matter what age, need 30 minutes of physical activity most days a week. The Scheme ensures that, as we get older, we can keep playing sport, we can keep moving and we can stay healthy and independent."

Go for Life is the national programme for sport and physical activity for older people. Go for Life is an Age & Opportunity initiative which is funded by the Irish Sports Council.