The National Go for Life Games is an annual event organised by Go for Life, Age & Opportunity and the Irish Sports Council which is supported on the ground by Local Sports Partnerships. The aim is to provide an opportunity for enjoyable and social physical activity participation among older adults. The Waterford team was one of twenty four teams from around the country that participated in three indoor target games including ‘Lobbers’ (adapted from petanque and boules), ‘Flisk’ (adapted from horseshoe pitching), and ‘Scidils’ (adapted from ten pin bowling).
The team was selected following three blitzes held by Waterford Sports Partnership for older adults groups in Waterford City and County between March and May. Players spanned a range of groups including Dungarvan ARA, Dungarvan Care of the Aged, Respond Services, Waterford Stroke Support Group and Cappoquin Active Retirement. Representing Waterford were Vincent Bergin, Ita Butler, Valerie Delaney, Helen Elliot, Andy Gray, Pat Healy, John O’Donoghue, Mary O’Donoghue, Anna O’Neill, Monica O’Sullivan, Gerrard Rae and Sally Walsh. Special thanks also to David Phelan from Respond who assisted the team on the day.
The Games were a great opportunity to celebrate physical activity and sport participation for all ages, the Waterford team thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, friendly competition and social element of the day. Helen O’Donoghue from the Lobbers team emphasised the importance of the social aspect in saying ‘I has a great weekend in DCU, there was great interaction and fun with other participants from around the country and the organisation of the weekend was faultless. Everyone was very helpful and pleasant.' Andy Gray said ‘brilliant! best day ever and the craic was mighty. I will definitely be back next year.’
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Standing (l to r): Gerrard Rae (Respond Services), John O’Donoghue (Waterford Stroke Support Group), Sarah Chadwick, Peter Jones (Waterford Sports Partnership), Vincent Bergin (Cappoquin Active Retirement), Ita Butler (Respond Services), David Phelan (Respond Services), Monica O’Sullivan (Cappoquin Active Retirement), Helen Elliot (Waterford Stroke Support Group).Seated (l to r): Sally Walsh (Respond Services), Pat Healy (Dungarvan Care of the Aged), Mary Healy (Dungarvan Care of the Aged), Anna O’Neill (Dungarvan ARA), Valerie Delaney (Cappoquin Active Retirement), Mary O’Donoghue (Waterford Stroke Support Group)
Missing from photo: Andy Gray (Respond Services)
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