Major Multi-Sports Forum in Armagh to focus on Health

Club volunteers from across GAA, Rugby and Football are coming together on Thursday evening, August 31st, in the Athletic Grounds, Armagh to explore how to keep older members active and healthy.

The Multi Sports Volunteering Forum ‘Stay in the Game – promoting lifelong wellbeing through sport’ will be opened by Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Gareth Wilson.  It will bring together club volunteers from all three sports interested in promoting healthy living programmes back in their sports club for volunteers no longer playing sport.  The aim of the Forum is to encourage clubs to promote programmes to ensure volunteers continue their participation in sport and stay healthy and fit, regardless of age or ability.

The Forum will hear from a number of agencies who will provide an overview of health programmes which can be implemented in sports clubs.  It will also hear at first hand from local sports clubs who are leading the way in this area.  There will be a number of health exhibition stalls providing useful information and advice for all those in attendance.

The event is jointly organised by Ulster GAA, Ulster Rugby and the Irish FA Foundation and is funded by the Department for Communities.

Speaking ahead of the event Fiona Teague Health Improvement Manager with the Public Health Agency said, “This event will be a key forum for sports clubs to come together to focus on health and wellness for older club members.  Our sports clubs do so much for our younger generations, providing fun and competitive field sports, keeping generations fit and healthy.  However many sports volunteers are older and it is important that sports clubs look at those no longer playing sport and finding ways to get those people active with a focus on their health and wellbeing.  There are lots of really interesting examples out there of sports clubs doing great work in this area and this forum will explore this and hopefully inspire other clubs to implement facilities and programmes for the over 55s.”

Over 55s is a key target for government funding and this multi-sports forum will give clubs an opportunity to explore ideas for implementing new programmes and improving their offering to the wider community, which could help with funding applications.

The Multi-Sports Volunteering Forum is free to access and everyone is welcome however registration is essential by emailing fionntan.odowd.ulster@gaa.ie or phoning Fionntan on 028 37517180.  The event begins at 6:30pm and will be hosted in the Armagh GAA Athletic Grounds, Dalton Road, Armagh.