Ruth Kennedy – BBs in Applied Sports with Business

Name: Ruth Kennedy

School: Ursuline College, Sligo

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

I have been doing gymnastics since the age of 4, I have always had a passion for the sport and to this day still do. I chose the course sport with business because sport and fitness plays a huge role in my life and I knew I would enjoy the sport aspect of the course. The business side of the course interests me too because I hope to one day have my own business with gymnastics.

Why did you choose ATU Sligo? 

I was born in Sligo and have lived here my whole life. I chose to stay in Sligo to continue competing with my club and be able to go to college in the same place. I also work in Sligo, so it all falls into one and I was happy to stay here for a few more years.

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

It is a great university and has many good courses. Choose a course you are interested in and want to grow your knowledge in and you’ll love it.  

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

Yes, I think Sligo is a good location for students. There are many options to choose from when it comes to accommodation and is one of the more affordable counties to live in. Sligo has lots of restaurants and cafes nearby which is ideal for meeting with friends or taking food away. Student nights are a great way to go out and meet new friends or get to know people in your course a bit better. Clubs and societies in ATU are very well run and if there is a society you wish to join but doesn’t exist you can always come up with your own.

What specifically about your course do you particularly enjoy? 

I enjoy the experiences we get to teach people of different abilities. Our modules are very practical, and I learn a lot from them.  I enjoy the engagement my classmates have with each other and how everyone helps each other out. Overall, the atmosphere of the course is very friendly and a judgement-free course.

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

I would encourage them to do so especially if they want to grow their knowledge in either teaching or the business side of sports. The modules are very diverse and you learn a lot more than you would expect. This course can bring you outside of your comfort zone but that is nothing to worry about because that’s when you start to enjoy it more by trying new things.

Tell us about your sporting career/success so far? 

I joined my first gymnastics club when I was 4 years of age, Dynamo was the name of the club. With them, I went on to compete at international level in Geneva in 2008 when I was 8 years old. I had been in many national competitions with them and at the age of 10 took a year out of training and competing. I then went back to gymnastics at the age of 11 and joined with Yama Hara Gymnastics Club. With them, I competed in several national competitions in acrobatics. In 2013, I began tumbling and have won 11 national gymnastics Ireland medals.

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

ATU Sligo offers sports facilities for a variety of sports and has both outdoor and indoor facilities. As well as this it has an open gym for those who like to do their training or for sports courses like my own to practice for exams and for exams to take place in. With all the facilities it makes it easier to learn and means courses don’t have to travel far to use the equipment we need.

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

It has encouraged me to do the best in my studies and to also represent both ATU Sligo and my Gymnastics club as best I can. It has given me a confidence boost also to have been awarded a scholarship and I hope to put the funds to good use and get the best outcome from it all.

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

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

Find out more about Sports Scholarships at ATU Sligo