Amy Malone – BBs (Hons) in Sport with Business

Name: Amy Malone

School: Castlerea Community School, Roscommon 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to choosing your course 

I am 21 years of age, soon to be 22. I am from Co. Roscommon, I come from a family of 6 including myself with two younger sisters and a younger brother. I am highly interested and involved in sports and my community and was from a young age as I was always encouraged by my family and friends. All my life I was very set on becoming a Garda and thought nothing would change my mind, the more I talked to people about this they encouraged me to do a course before I go so I would have something to fall back on if I was to fail and also I would have an experience of college life and to make the most of them years. My mam was the main person who pushed me to do this and I wouldn’t change this if I was to go back. My last 2 and a half years in Sligo have been an amazing experience and I have learned so much about myself as a person and I have grown so much as a person also. I have so many memories and so many good and bad experiences but I still wouldn’t change them as they have made me the person I am today. I was very unsure on what course to pick after my Leaving Cert until I talked to a past student of ATU Sligo who I play football with who finished the Sport and Recreation Course before the course title was changed and I was very interested so my mam and I came to the Open Day in Sligo and was very impressed with the facilities. I choose Sports with Business in the end as I was interested in the opportunities I would experience in this course and the experiences I would gain. 

Why did you choose ATU Sligo? 

I chose ATU Sligo as I was very impressed with the sporting facilities and the fact that it was only an hour away from home, as before I went to college I was a big home bird and wasn’t very comfortable leaving for college on my own for so long but this gave me a sense of comfort as I knew it was only an hour away. Also, the fact I knew a lot of people from home who were studying down here so I wasn’t completely on my own.  The sporting facilities really caught my eye as I was always involved in a lot of team sports and I was looking forward to becoming part of the teams in ATU Sligo. 

What advice would you give someone thinking about choosing ATU Sligo? 

Do It! If you feel like you would enjoy the experience do it as there is no point dwelling on it. Even if you don’t feel confident, Sligo has so many clubs and societies to offer and there is student support and always somebody to talk to, you will never feel like you are on your own.  

Do you like Sligo as a student town? e.g. things to do, food, nightlife, clubs and societies, accommodation etc. 

Yes, I love Sligo as a student town as it has so much to offer. It has many fabulous restaurant’s to eat in and also the canteen in the college is brilliant! The nightlife is one of the best, there is never a dull moment and you are always guaranteed a good night when out in Sligo. ATU Sligo has so many clubs and societies to choose from and there is something for everyone! The accommodation is one of the cheapest and this is not to do with the conditions of them as the condition of the accommodation is second to none and there is nothing to complain about. 

What specifically about your course do you particularly enjoy? 

I love how practical my course is and how involved I have to get. There are many different aspects of the course in relation to the sport side and the business side. I personally struggle with the business side of things as I don’t have a great knowledge because I didn’t do any business subject for Leaving Cert but I wouldn’t let this hold anyone back as they start each module from the very beginning and all the lecturers are very helpful. I enjoy making good friendships in my course that I know I will have for life. I have also developed and matured as a person and also as a student and this is all thanks to the experience I have had in ATU Sligo. 

What would you say to a student thinking about studying your course? 

One thing I would say is don’t be afraid of the Business side of things as I know if you haven’t studied business before it can be slightly daunting but take my advice and dive straight into it as it’s the only way you will grow. If you have interest in sport you will enjoy this course and it will open many different gateways for you like, coaching, teaching, learning. 

Tell us about your sporting career/success so far? 

In 2015 I won a Connaught medal and was an All-Ireland Runner Up with the Roscommon County Minor team. 

In 2015 I won a division 3 county title with my club. 

In 2016 and 2017 I made it to All Ireland Semi Finals in Basketball 2 years in a row with Castlerea Community School. 

I have been playing for my local GAA club St. Croans since 2008, I play on the St. Croans Junior Ladies Team 

In 2017 I captained my club team to a minor county semi-final at division 2 level. 

I got Athletics, Basketball and Football player of the year while in Castlerea Community School. 

In 2017 and 2018 I represented my secondary school in the Connaught Schools Football Team. 

I have Completed Grade 6 in Irish Dancing. 

I have played for ATU Sligo’s 1st and 2nd team for Gaelic Football. 

I have completed Level 1-5 Irish Water Safety Courses. 

I have completed a beginner’s course in ladies referring. 

I have represented ATU Sligo on both Ladies Gaelic Teams last year 

I am currently on the squad for the Roscommon Ladies Team as there is new management. 

Interests of mine are music as I come from a musical background, I’m a very active person and love sport, I enjoy coaching children and teaching new skills 

What is the best thing about sport and sports facilities at ATU Sligo? 

The sport facilities are brilliant and they are well looked after. They are always in top condition and I have never had a bad word to say about the facilities.  

How has the sports scholarship benefited you? What are the advantages to it? 

The sport scholarship has benefitted me in the financial aspect of things and it has also given me the confidence to believe more in myself and my sport that I play. I look forward to representing my college and doing my best to achieve my goals. I have also grown confidence just as a person as one of my close friends at home as came out with a clothing brand and she asked me to model the clothes, if you had asked me to do this before I wouldn’t have had the confidence but know I just enjoy the experience as I mightn’t get it again. 

Find out more about AU903 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Sport with Business

Find out more about AU804 Bachelor of Business in Applied Sport with Business

 Learn more about ATU Sports Scholarships