Galway Sports Partnership (GSP) is delighted to announce a brand new initiative to encourage communities to become more physically active. The initiative, known as Fit Towns will be launched by John Tracey, CEO of the Irish Sports Council, at 7pm on Monday the 6th of October 2014 in the Menlo Park Hotel, Galway.
Fit Towns is a competition open to groups and communities across Galway City and County, geared at identifying the fittest place in Galway, with three separate categories:
- Towns and urban areas with populations over 2000 persons
- Towns and villages with populations under 2000
- Offshore Islands
A prize fund of €15,000 will be divided three ways, with the winners in each category receiving €5000 each. The closing date for receipt of applications from groups or communities interested in taking part is 5th of December 2014.
Applicants will first be asked to compile an audit of existing sports facilities and physical activities in their areas, so that they can identify gaps. They will then be asked to outline a plan of physical activities to take place in their Town or Village or Island between 19th of January 2015 and 28th of February 2015. These activities should target all age groups in the community, from the very young to older adults, with particular emphasis on GSP’s target groups: women and girls, older adults, people with disabilities, people from disadvantaged areas and persons who are presently unemployed.
Groups will receive an information pack that will guide them through the application process, as well as provide suggestions regarding activities they might organise to target these specific groups. Groups will be marked on the completeness of their audit, activities they organise and the target groups reached, as well as the overall level of participation in physical activities in their areas.
GSP will hold a series of Information Sessions in October throughout Galway to inform communities about the Fit Towns competition and to answer any questions they may have about it. Information will also be available from GSP’s office. Phone 091 509572 or 509577, email [email protected] or check out our Facebook page at Galway Sports Partnership.
Further information also available from Michael Curley, GSP (087) 3292393, Jason Craughwell 087 9817549 or Majella Ní Chríocháin 087 9776852.
