IT Sligo hosted an open training session for over 25 elite soccer players, led by Sligo Rovers Senior Women’s Team Manager, Steve Feeney. Steve and the management team at Sligo Rovers are focused on building their squad, ahead of their first-ever season in the FAI Women’s National League. IT Sligo is supporting the development of the squad by offering scholarships for elite women’s soccer players, who wish to play with Sligo Rovers and continue their third level education at IT Sligo.
The scholarships will offer financial support, as well as access to state-of-the-art training facilities throughout the academic year. At the session on Sunday, players were given the opportunity to train and tour the IT Sligo campus, highlighting the academic, social and cultural aspects of campus life.
Colin Feehily, CEO of Sligo Rovers commented on the day “It was great to see a big turnout for the open day on Sunday. Our partners IT Sligo have a great range of courses available to suit all our academy players both male and female. It was important for us to help show them what’s on offer at the college as we believe education should always coincide with their footballing development”
Schools Liaison Officer, Micheal Dowdican, a graduate of the Level 8 degree in Sport with Business, talked to the players about how combining a passion for sport with academic studies provides many exciting pathways for IT Sligo graduates, with several progressing on to postgraduate studies in teaching, physiotherapy, dietetics and many other Allied Health Professionals.
As the deadline for applications to the CAO fast approaches, Micheal advises students to always consider alternative pathways. “There are certainly many ways to achieve long term career goals and students shouldn’t feel the need to change their passion, based on points or the numbers of places available. For this group of elite soccer players, the IT Sligo route offers a university accredited degree, with the opportunity to excel in their chosen sport.”
IT Sligo, along with their partner Institutes of GMIT and LYIT will be designated as a Technological University in April 2022. The new Atlantic Technological University will offer enhanced opportunities for graduates in the region, with industry partners, such as Sligo Rovers, welcoming part of the TU mission, which aims to attract and retain talent in the west and northwest region.
The CAO deadline for applications is 5 pm on 1st February 2022. Students wishing to attend IT Sligo should continue to choose CAO codes ‘SG’ for a September 2022 start.
For further details on the Sligo Rovers Women’s Soccer Scholarship, contact Colm Jinks, FAI Facilitator at IT Sligo colm.jinks@nullfai.ie