The Active Play Donegal Programme was launched recently to help make children more physically active.
Active Play seeks to develop the capacity and skills of ‘Play Leaders’ within communities. Identified Play Leaders will receive training and support in how to encourage children in their domain to become more physically active through the medium of play.
‘Active Play’ is a more free form of play, which moves away from a very structured form of coaching to a form of play that enables children and adults of all ages to freely participate in different activities. Examples of active play include
throwing ball, races, catching games, obstacle courses, hopscotch, rounders, recreational basketball, football, cricket, rounders, and many traditional games.
The programme is led by Donegal County Council in collaboration with Donegal Sports Partnership and funded through the Healthy Ireland Programme and Slaintecare Healthy Communities Programme.
Speaking at the launch of the programme on 7th November in the Craoibhin Community Enterprise Centre, Termon Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh said “Being active through play helps children not only increase their physical fitness but also builds confidence and resilience while encouraging creativity and problem-solving skills – all of which benefit children’s health and happiness as they grow.”
Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh pictured with Active Play Programme participants from ICARE, Buncrana; Dunfanaghy Family Resource Centre; Scoil Na Croise Naofa, Dunfanaghy; Finn Valley Family Resource Centre; Downstrands Family Resource Centre and Raphoe Family Resource Centre; representatives from Donegal Sports Partnership and Donegal County Council staff.
Mr. Paddy Doherty, Senior Executive Officer, Community Development, Donegal County Council said “Donegal County Council works in partnership through our Local Community Development Committee to deliver programmes such as the Healthy Ireland and Slaintecare Healthy Communities Programmes which help us to implement ways to support health and wellbeing initiatives across the County through the delivery of projects, like Active Play Donegal”.
Donegal Sports Partnership Project Officer, Kirsty Brown said “Active Play is a more-free form of play, which moves away from a very structured form of coaching. It promotes a shift back to the more informal or free forms of play such as throwing ball, races, catching games, obstacle courses, hopscotch, rounders etc which enable children and adults to participate in a range of fun recreational activities while fostering a healthier lifestyle.”
This initiative is funded through the Healthy Ireland Round 4 Programme and Slaintecare Healthy Communities Programme, which is supported by the Department of Health.
