Eight Clare sportspeople, were among the 56 international athletes to receive the Limerick Institute of Technology Sports Scholarship this academic year.
The recipients were honoured at a special event at LIT, Moylish Campus), during which keynote speaker World Rugby Referee and former LIT Sport Scholarship recipient Joy Neville spoke of the value of sports scholarships and the opportunities open to the recipients during their time at LIT.
Supported by sponsors PMI, the LIT Sports Scholarships are set apart from other sports scholarships as they encourage young athletes to achieve greatness in their chosen sport, while also providing a vast range of off-field supports for their education and mental wellbeing.
In its third year, the new LIT’s Sports Scholarship Programme provides athletic support, focuses on individual welfare, and includes off-field mentoring and education support to its recipients.
This year’s recipients excel at a number of sports including basketball, camogie, hurling, Gaelic football, handball, rugby, kickboxing and swimming.
President of LIT, Prof Vincent Cunnane, described the scholarships as reflective of LIT’s ethos – supporting its students to be the best they can be in their chosen field, while also ensuring they have the skillset and knowledge to succeed long after they graduate from LIT.
“It is important to understand that first and foremost these young athletes are part of an institution which recognises them as a member of its community. That means valuing them and supporting them in a balanced way. It’s about what happens off the field and off the track as much as on it.
“The LIT Sports Scholarship Programme puts the circumstances in place to allow the recipients to unlock as much of their potential as possible. In addition to financial aid, we have a number of athlete support measures built into our programme to do this. These range from off-field mentoring to education support, sports psychology, and advice on managing issues like social media,” he said.
Congratulating the scholarship recipients Prof Cunnane added, “Here at LIT we think it is important to support you and to recognise your excellence.”
Former LIT GAA Development Officer Paul Browne who has just taken up the position of Games Development Officer with Limerick GAA was also recognised at today’s event for his contribution to sport at LIT.
Sports stars including international ruby referee Joy Neville, hurling All Stars Seamus Callanan (Tipperary) and Peter Duggan (Clare), and Irish boxer Christina Desmond have previously received this scholarship from LIT.
LIT’s Sports Scholarship programme is now open for applications at lit.ie/sport.
Meanwhile the inaugural LIT Gaelic Grounds Scholarship awards will be presented during half time at the Limerick V Waterford Allianz League Hurling Game in the LIT Gaelic Grounds on Saturday night.