Waterford United/WIT Scholarship scheme

[teckno]

Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) has launched a new scholarship scheme in conjunction with Waterford United and the Football Association of Ireland, awarding scholarships to three of the most promising young players in the locality.

The programme will see elite footballers supported through their third-level education while still being able to concentrate on their game. In a new pilot scheme, three students have been awarded scholarships that will provide physiological, psychological and financial support over the coming year. Conor McDonald, a 20-year-old from Waterford city, 18-year-old Stephen O’Shea from Tramore and Roscrea, Co Tipperary native Darren Coleman, also 18, are the first recipients of the scholarships. The initiative, the first of its kind in Ireland, is seen as a blueprint for the future of Ireland’s elite players where they can maintain their education focus while also continuing their football career. Waterford United liaison officer John Douglas said: “We are very excited about this scheme. The players can play at Waterford United as well as the WIT team and continue their studies.

“They also get support off the field through the availability of fitness testing, sports psychology as well as the financial aspect.” WIT director, Professor Kieran Byrne, added: “We are very proud of Waterford Institute of Technology’s commitment to sport and this new scheme is a further demonstration of the Institute’s policy of creating opportunity for students. “I would like to wish the three recipients well in their sporting and academic endeavours and I look forward to watching this scheme develop in the coming years.” The FAI has given its backing to the scheme and Education Manager Paul Hamill will monitor the programme on behalf of the governing body. Hamill said: “We were impressed by the comprehensive approach to this scholarship scheme from both Waterford United and WIT. The programme has been developed to ensure that the students are monitored throughout their year and it takes all aspects of their sporting and academic needs into consideration.”

[Student Mullet]

The initiative, the first of its kind in Ireland, is seen as a blueprint for the future of Ireland’s elite players where they can maintain their education focus while also continuing their football career.

fourth at my count.

[Partizan]

This is the first of its kind by an eL club to do this Mullet.

UCD doesnt count.

[teckno]

I think that it is the first in it's kind it that it is being jointly organised by the FAI/Waterford United/Waterford Institute of Technology, and it's been launched as a pilot scheme for the rest of the country, so hopefully more will follow suit

[Lim till i die]

Don't Cork City have a scholarship thingy for their u-21's

[BohsPartisan]

Bohs either have or are in the process of setting up something with DCU AFAIK. Why don't UCD count?

[ollie]

Don't Cork City have a scholarship thingy for their u-21's

they have some sort of thing with Colasite Stiofán Naofa all right.Ex Cork City manager Liam Murphy is running it.

[thomas]

This is the first of its kind by an eL club to do this Mullet.

UCD doesnt count.

UCD obviously does count, just because they are leagues ahead doesn't make it LESS valid,

oh and rovers scheme with ITT is up and running in its 2nd year now, so Pilot me nads.

[Student Mullet]

oh and rovers scheme with ITT is up and running in its 2nd year now, so Pilot me nads.

Come on, everyone else calls it the TIT.