Men on the Move wins Chambers Ireland award

MOVING ON UP  Charlie Lambert (Mayo Sports Partnership) is pictured receiving the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Award along with representatives of Chambers Ireland and Health Ireland and Peter Hynes (Mayo County Council Chief Executive), Martina Hughes (Mayo County Council) and Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council Richard Finn.

Ciara Galvin

MAYO Sport Partnership has won its third award for its Men on the Move initiative, beating off stiff competition from Cork, Fingal and South Dublin County Council.
The programme won the award in the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards in the ‘Best Health and Well being’ category.
The health and exercise initiative is partnered with Mayo County Council, the HSE, Waterford IT and various other stakeholders including the GAA and community groups.
Men on the Move targets men over 35 years of age who were physically inactive. Local leaders support the project and front the twice-weekly physical activity programmes at each location.
It now takes place in ten locations across Mayo and has been rolled out in seven counties.
Speaking to The Mayo News about the award, Charlie Lambert of Mayo Sports Partnership said it has been a ‘great year’ for the partnership.
“This follows on from the Local Authority Members Association Awards and the Public Sector Magazine Awards. It has been one of our most successful projects and hopefully this will help build its profile further to access funding to roll it out nationwide,” said Mr Lambert.
He  went on to commend Ray McNamara, Sports Inclusion Development Officer with Mayo County Council for his work and said a ‘collaborative approach’ was key to the programme’s success.
“We’re looking at extending it as far as we can, with programmes in Achill, Belmullet, Ballinrobe and Ballaghderreen, among others.”
Clubs or organisations around Mayo interested in setting up a Men on the Move programme can contact Mayo Sports Partnership on msp@mayococo.ie or at 094 9047025.