18 IT Sligo Students have been awarded new Sports Scholarships, which will develop their skills and make them ambassadors for the Institute in competitions at home and abroad.
They were presented to the students at a special ceremony on campus.
The first-time recipients include Sligo Rovers footballer Jake Dykes, who’s studying Digital Media Marketing, sprint hurdler Allesandra Feudatari, an Italian national junior 100m hurdles champion, and Sligo showjumper Elaine Horan, winner of the individual title at the 2014 National Inter-Varsity Championships.
A further 21 students have had their existing scholarships renewed. These include Donegal ladies football Geraldine McLaughlin, who guided her club Termon to a first-ever All-Ireland senior club title last month, and World University Kickboxing Champion Dessie Leonard from Riverstown.
The new recipients span seven different sports: Athletics, Boxing, Gaelic Football, Hurling, Showjumping, Soccer & Surfing. They follow in the footsteps of other elite Sports Scholars at IT Sligo who have been making their mark at all competitive levels since the Institute introduced its scholarship programme scheme in 2003.
Congratulating the new Sports Scholars, Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of IT Sligo, said: “Recognition of talent in all its manifestations is part of the IT Sligo brand.
“This Institute has already taken the lead with our commitment to a ‘healthy campus’ initiative, and sport in all its many colours embodies the physical and mental wellbeing aims that are at the heart of that drive.”
Scholarships provide financial and mentoring support to athletes of outstanding talent, many of whom may have already represented IT Sligo, their county or Ireland in their respective sports.
Recipients are supported by IT Sligo in keeping up their sporting commitments at the same time as pursuing their educational commitments and goals.
Professor Cunnane presented each new Scholar with a Scholarship Certificate and a personalised tracksuit top. He told the recipients: “Each of you has excelled in your chosen sports activity and in so doing you have enhanced IT Sligo’s reputation as an academic setting that values and rewards sporting prowess.
IT Sligo allocates a €50,000 fund for Sports Scholarships Scheme and all students are entitled to apply.
Since its introduction, the scholarships have benefited students involved in a wide range of sports including soccer (ladies/men), Gaelic football (ladies/men), basketball, athletics, surfing, boxing, camogie, hurling, golf and martial arts.
This year, GAA and Soccer dominate the scholarship list, with 13 awards. The list includes students who have established reputations in county, Intervarsity and other national and international sporting arenas.
The new scholarship winners are:
Athletics: Alessandra Feudatari (Italy).
GAA – Brian Gallagher (Mayo), Meadh Holmes (Roscommon), Eileen McKenna (Monaghan), Michael McWeeney (Leitrim), Adam Neely (Donegal), Aishling Sheridan (Cavan), Theodore Watts (Westmeath) & Cathal Dolan (Roscommon).
Soccer – Jake Dykes (Sligo), Catherine Hyndman (Sligo), Dylan McCabe (Laois), Kathy McLaughlin Donegal) & Jason Quinn (Donegal),.
Boxing – Aoife Hennigan (Mayo) Shane McIntyre (Mayo),
Surfing – Ronan Oertzen (Belfast).
Showjumping – Elaine Horan (Sligo).
Photo Caption:
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of IT Sligo, with the Institute’s new Sports Scholarship recipients for 2015.