– Full line-up for Active Retirement Ireland National Bowls Competition and Activity Break revealed –
Active Retirement Ireland’s first pickleball championship is to get underway next week at the organisation’s annual National Bowls Competition and Activity Break, taking place at Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, County Mayo.
Pickleball - a paddle sport which is relatively new to Ireland - was invented in the United States in 1965 as a backyard game. It combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, and has seen a global surge in popularity in recent years, particularly amongst older age-groups.
The mixed-gender sport is played in singles or doubles, on a badminton court, with paddles. It follows a similar manner of play to tennis and has become popular amongst older people, in particular, due to the high-intensity workout achieved from this low-impact sport.
In addition to the pickleball championship next week, activity highlights at the three-day Active Retirement Ireland event include the organisation’s national bowls competition, walks, cookery demonstrations, and yoga.
Commenting in advance of the event, Maureen Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Active Retirement Ireland, said: “Each year the National Bowls Competition and Activity Break continues to grow from strength to strength, and 2018 is no exception.
“One of our main objectives at Active Retirement Ireland is to enable retired people to enjoy a full and active life. The National Bowls Competition and Activity Break is a great way for people to keep physically active and to socialise during their retirement years.
“We’re delighted to add the pickleball championship to this year’s line-up, given the spike in popularity the sport has seen amongst Ireland’s retirement community. Pickleball is a sport that can be played at all ages, keeping people active and fit, but is surprisingly less intense than other sports, hence its popularity amongst older people.”
The Active Retirement Ireland National Bowls Competition and Activity Break 2018 takes place from Monday 10th to Wednesday 12th September at Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, County Mayo. Further information is available at www.activeirl.ie.
