PRESS RELEASE | Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy announces successful clubs in the IRFU and FAI Healthy Ireland Walking Tracks initiative

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy announces successful clubs in the IRFU and FAI Healthy Ireland Walking Tracks initiative

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy, Colm Burke has today announced the successful clubs for the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Healthy Ireland Walking Tracks initiative. The two organisations shared in a €1 million fund designed to make pitch-side walking track facilities more accessible to everyone in the community.

This is the second phase of the Healthy Ireland Walking Tracks initiative, which previously delivered €1.6m in funding to GAA clubs. It promotes increased physical activity among all ages by supporting clubs to upgrade walking tracks to improve accessibility for people with mobility issues such as older persons and wheelchair users.

Funding was allocated for a range of improvements, including the upgrading or the installation of lighting designed to prolong the hours of usage particularly during the dark winter evenings. Following a rigorous evaluation process, 21 clubs were approved for funding by the IRFU and 22 by the FAI. Grants ranged from €10,000 to €50,000. The full list of successful clubs is available below.

Minister Burke said:

“This initiative is a wonderful example of how the Healthy Ireland principles can be harnessed to deliver immediate and lasting benefits for our population.

“Partnership is an important component of Healthy Ireland’s work, as organisations such as the IRFU and FAI are ideally placed to deliver initiatives that support improved health and wellbeing. By supporting sports clubs to provide safe and accessible facilities for all, we are making it easier for people to get out and exercise, and to connect with others in their community, thereby reducing social isolation.

“I want to congratulate the successful clubs on their innovative proposals for track improvements and I encourage everyone to use their local club walking track to enjoy physical activity in a safe and accessible space.”

CEO of the FAI, David Courell said:

 “This funding will help improve our club grounds, providing safer and more inclusive facilities that will benefit communities across Ireland. It directly supports our Facility Investment Vision and Strategy by ensuring our clubs remain focal points for health and wellbeing. I want to thank Minister Colm Burke, the wider teams at Healthy Ireland, and the Department of Health for their continued support and guidance. As we roll out our upcoming Football Social Responsibility Strategy, these types of projects will be central to our commitment to improving community engagement and supporting physical activity nationwide.”

CEO of the IRFU, Kevin Potts said:

“I would like to thank Minister Burke and his department for this welcome funding which will hugely benefit 21 Rugby Clubs. We know that clubs provide a valuable service to local communities and their ability to enhance facilities, to make them safer and more accessible is key to ensuring they continue to thrive and connect. We look forward to welcoming more members to our clubs as the walking programme expands.”