Newport's proud handball tradition is highly praised

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, has paid tribute to the wonderful tradition for handball in Newport and to the many champions produced by the town.

Minister Ring was speaking ahead of the official opening of the refurbished Newport Handball Alley which has been refurbished with €62,000 of funding allocated by Minister Ring under the Sports Capital Programme, while he was Minister for Sport and Tourism.

Minister Ring said: “We should cherish and celebrate the great handball tradition that we have in Mayo. This is epitomised by the town of Newport which has produced winners in three World Championships.

"Young people in Newport have no shortage of role models in the sport. They now also have a top quality court in which to hone their skills.

“I am glad to have been able to support the renovation of Newport’s handball court which has given rise to many greats of the game. While Minister for Sport and Tourism and in my current role as Minister for Rural and Community Development, I have also allocated funding for the renovation of handball courts in Carnacon and Claremorris.

"I am delighted with the positive impact that funding such as this is having on rural communities in Mayo and throughout Ireland.

“The people of Newport once again have a wonderful facility. The refurbished handball court is a credit to the local community who have worked together out of a sense of pride in their town’s unique handballing tradition.

“Handball is a fast paced, highly skilful, hugely entertaining, and fully inclusive sport. The fitness benefits of the game are vast. I am a big believer that sport in people’s lives is essential for a healthy and happy existence. A ball and a wall can really have a great impact to people’s wellbeing.”