|
Speaking at Burnside Orange Hall Drew Nelson, LL.B., Grand
Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, welcomed the
initiative announced by the Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland,
to upgrade sports pitches at different venues around Northern
Ireland.
The Minister went to Burnside Ulster-Scots Society, Antrim,
to view plans they have for converting a grass pitch to a
3G pitch, with floodlighting and changing facilities. The
ground was provided by the Orange Order.
Mr Nelson said:
"Sport has an important role in tackling social exclusion,
reducing anti-social behaviour, improving community cohesion
and promoting healthy lifestyles. Research in Northern Ireland
has identified inadequate provision of sports facilities as
one of the major barriers to participation in sport and physical
recreation.
"Between 2005 and 2008 adult male participation in sport
decreased by 6%.
"The Loyal Orange Institution is delighted to be involved
in this initiative, which we believe will increase adult male
participation in sport and make a major contribution to tackling
social exclusion, reducing anti-social behaviour and improving
community cohesion.
"We also believe that provision of sports facilities
are a sound long-term economic investment. For example if
the increased participation in sport which this new facility
will generate prevents just two people from suffering major
coronary problems then the facility will more than pay for
itself in savings to the Exchequer on primary health care,
secondary health care, welfare and cost of social services."
|
