James Robinson – BBs (Hons) in Sport with Business

Name: James Robinson

School: St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar

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

My name is James Robinson. I’m from Castlebar Co. Mayo. I started playing football for my local club Castlebar Celtic when I was 6 and continued playing there until I was 14 having many amazing and successful years there. I then made the move to Sligo Rovers and was a part of the first u15 League of Ireland. I’ve now spent nearly 6 years with Sligo and have been a part of a great u19 side this season and lucky enough to be a part of the first team that’s been so successful this season. I’ve always had a love for the sport and a strong interest in business and ATU Sligo was able to offer both interests in the one course with Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Sport with Business. This course suited my wants and needs perfectly and being able to earn an honours degree in 3 years and take part in placement during the 3 years is a huge bonus.  

Why did you choose IT Sligo? 

I chose Sligo because I knew the area from playing football up here and it wasn’t too far from home. I’m a home bird and knowing that I’m only an hour or so drive from home helps. ATU Sligo was the only university in the west running a course like this in the west of Ireland. I was very lucky in this sense because I didn’t have to travel too far to study what I wanted.  

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

ATU Sligo fulfils all your needs academically and sporting needs. The college has a state-of-the-art gym, full-size AstroTurf, and a top-class grass pitch with a running track around it alongside top quality coaching staff and players. All these as a collective allow you to perform and train at the best of your ability. The staff in ATU Sligo are extremely helpful and supportive and make life easier.  

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

Sligo as a student town is amazing. Sligo allows great opportunities to socialise and meet new people through different events being held throughout the year. I’m currently staying in Ard Nua village which is only a 10 min walk from ATU Sligo. The facilities here are perfect and suit all my needs. It’s clean, it’s comfortable and the people staying there are great.  

What specifically about your course do you particularly enjoy? 

I’ve always enjoyed the sporting side of anything and for my course to mix both sport and business is amazing. I’ve enjoyed the marketing and entrepreneurship side of my course so far, but naturally have also enjoyed the more sporting modules where sometimes there might be a practical element to it.  

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

If you love sport and have an interest in business this course is perfect for you. It offers you both elements at the same time. The lecturers are very helpful and the students on the course are very sociable – so, making new friends while studying a very enjoyable course won’t be an issue.  

Tell us about your sporting career/success so far? 

In my younger days playing for Castlebar Celtic, I was fortunate enough to be a part of a very successful age group. We won many leagues and league cups and also won a regional cup as well as reaching three SFAI semi-finals. Once again, I was lucky to be a part of a very successful school team for St Gerald’s College.  With them, we made it to several Connacht finals winning a couple. From this, I was a part of the Boys interprovincial team in 2018 winning the competition and playing in the final. In 2017, I joined Sligo Rovers and was a part of the first-ever u15 League of Ireland playing in the first-ever game for the league in a win against Finn Harps and even saving a penalty in the game. So far in my near 6 years with Sligo, I’ve won two leagues of Ireland shields, one u17 and one u19. This year I’ve been lucky enough to be a larger part of a great season with the first team reaching the Europe spots for the second year running.    

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

ATU Sligo has a state-of-the-art gym, full-size AstroTurf, a top-class grass pitch with a running track around it alongside top quality coaching staff and players. This allows the men’s college team to compete at the highest college level in the country. The coaching staff have plenty of experience and knowledge to train and develop us players. The players on the college teams every year are of high quality and professionalism. They perform and train at the highest level and we all strive for success.  

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

The sports scholarship has helped both me and my family massively. The scholarship has allowed me to perform and learn both academically and sporting wise at the same time. The university and the club have been very supportive and helped me to reach my potential in both my studies and my sporting career. The people around me have helped me enjoy my time so far here and have made me much more comfortable.  

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