Age & Opportunity announces physical activity funding for older people in Laois

Age & Opportunity, the national organisation working to enhance wellbeing for older people through sport and creativity, has announced €5,030 in grants to support 18 Laois-based physical activity groups.

Throughout 2026, the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme, funded by Sport Ireland, will assist over 1,000 clubs, groups and organisations across the country with up to €300,000 in grants.

The funding recipients include family carers, men’s and women’s sheds, Irish Countrywomen's Association groups, active retirement groups, Physical Activity Leaders (PALs) and other social, sporting and community associations.

Successful recipients in Laois include: Mountmellick Active Senior Club, Mountmellick ICA, Abbeyleix Park Development Committee on Behalf of Abbeyleix Vitality Hub, Strongbow Archers, Ballyroan Community Hall, 50+ Active Age Group Portlaoise ARA, Mountmellick Walking Group, Clough Ballacolla GAA Handball Club, Knock GAA, and more.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said the grant scheme drives participation among older people in recreational sport.

“Staying active as we age has proven physical and mental health benefits and as such, I am pleased to announce the distribution of €300,000 in funding from my department today”, the minister said in a statement.

He continued: “The government is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity, regardless of age or ability and with the overall aim of increasing participation among the population to 50% by 2027.

“These grants will help fund activities, secure essential equipment and support events that bring older people together in a sports setting.” Over 20,000 grants of almost €8.5 million have been awarded since the inception of the scheme in 2001. Every year, approximately 34,000 older people take part in physical activity funded through the scheme.

Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Charlie McConalogue TD, said: “This Scheme supports local clubs, groups and organisations in growing participation in sport and physical activity among older people.

“Over 1,000 groups will directly benefit from today’s announcement which will have a positive impact across the country in terms of providing older people with more opportunities to exercise.

“We know that participation levels among this cohort continues to increase so we need to ensure that we are catering for people of all ages. The allocated grants will enable organisations to adapt and tailor activities for older people.” 

Grant funding for 2026 will support the rollout of activities such as pickleball, dancing, walking, cycling, table tennis, walking football, yoga and much more. The financial support will enable organisations to purchase sports equipment and host active initiatives and events for older people.

Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May, said the organisation is delighted to work with Age & Opportunity to deliver these grants: “The allocation of the funding across a diverse range of activities, groups and communities reflects our commitment to ensuring that people of all ages are valued in sport.

“It is important that we have a diverse sporting landscape and increasing participation among older people is a key driver in making that happen. Sport Ireland’s Local Sports Partnerships are helping people to get active and removing barriers to sport and physical activity, and these partnerships work hand in hand with the Age & Opportunity Active Programme and National Active Grant Scheme.” 

Sue Guildea, active programme manager at Age & Opportunity, said: "Once again we have seen an incredible response to the grant scheme with applications coming in from across the country. Older age should be a time of opportunity and through this grant scheme, older people have improved access to recreational sport and targeted opportunities to engage in physical activity.

“The 2026 funding allocation will support physical activity initiatives aimed at family carers and those in care settings, as well as sport clubs and community groups who specifically target members who are over the age of 50.

“Table tennis, pétanque and ever popular sports like walking football and pickleball all benefit from this funding, helping to increase participation rates nationally. A third of this grant is going to areas of disadvantage and 60% is funding physical activities and sport in active retirement and other older adult groups.

“Each year we see the rise in applications from both men’s and women’s sheds who can access this funding to add physical activities to their own programmes.”