There are many benefits to be accrued from participating in sport and physical recreation, particularly health. Sport contributes to tackling such health issues as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health issues; it also enables both physical and psychological development while providing a vehicle for enjoyment and fun, but also ensuring people have access to locally available sporting facilities.
Sport Northern Ireland’s Participation and Facilities Unit support sporting opportunities to increase participation levels in sport and physical recreation among people – of all ages and abilities, and to promote lifelong physical activity. This relies on a range of developments and interventions; places for sport, coaches, governing bodies, volunteers, events, quality programmes based on best practice, and marketing and promotion. Sport Northern Ireland is working on many fronts to deliver improvements across all these areas in Northern Ireland.
Participation is not all about competition – sport and physical recreation is fun, relaxing, helps to keep people healthy – both physically and mentally, and is a great way to meet new people and build new friendships.
Sport Northern Ireland encourages as many people as possible to participate in sport.
