Minister Ring Launches Report Of Participation In Sport by Adults In Mayo & Sligo

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring TD, today launched The Irish Sports Council, Report of Participation in Sport by Adults in Mayo & Sligo. The report has been developed using data from the Irish Sports Council Irish Sports Monitor survey as a means of accurately monitoring and tracking active and social participation in sport among adults in Ireland.

In launching the report Minister Ring said: "The value of participating in sport and physical activity cannot be underestimated; even small improvements in participation levels will confer health, social and economic benefits both for the individual and for society as a whole. I am delighted to say that 48.1% of residents in Mayo/Sligo take part in sport regularly, this is the equivalent of over 73,600 people aged 16 and over taking part every week".

The key findings to emerge from the report are the high levels of participation in sport among females and that there is no gender gap in participation in sport in Mayo / Sligo. The report also highlights a range of other positive findings including:

- Women (49.0%) participate slightly more than men (47.1%).
- Exercise and swimming are the most popular activities overall.
- The proportion of women taking part in running is higher than the national average.
- Over 64% of Mayo/Sligo residents take part in recreational walking, women (71.1%) are more likely to take part than men (57.8%).
- Almost 50% take part in some form of social participation, either belonging to a club, volunteering for sport or attending a sporting event.

John Treacy, Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council commented "The Irish Sports Council has made increasing participation in sport and physical activity a key strategic priority. It is vital that we and our key stakeholders have access to this type of research to underpin our efforts in this regard. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the vital work of Mayo & Sligo Sports Partnership in encouraging people to become more active in their communities".

Dowload The Irish Sports Council, Report of Participation in Sport by Adults in Mayo & Sligo