Sport at Trinity Enters a New Era
Posted on: 25 February 2016
Trinity College Dublin launched a new strategy for sport today that sets out a pathway for Trinity Sport to be one of the best university sporting experiences in Ireland. It will provide for enhanced sporting performance and provision at Ireland’s premier university.
The strategy for sport entitled, ‘Raising Our Game’, aims to re establish the University as a leading force in all aspects of third level sport.
Commenting on its significance, Trinity College’s Provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast said: "The strategy for sport is important to the overall educational experience at Trinity where there is an emphasis on original research, independence of mind, and responsibility. Sport is a significant co-curricular activity that can provide for many learning opportunities outside of the classroom. We want to encourage as many students as possible to participate in sport and physical activity so they can develop the resources, such as life skills and friendships, which they can continue to draw upon in the future. "
Dean of Students, Professor Kevin O’Kelly, added: “Sport is a vital component of student life. This strategy sets out actions that are student focussed and nurture the important relationships with alumni, staff, communities and partners. Trinity Sport has a lot to offer and I look forward to seeing more students getting involved.”
The overarching vision of the strategy is to place sport at the heart of the Trinity Experience. This will be achieved through performance and participation. Trinity has an outstanding historical record of success at national and international levels and the strategy will put in place structures and processes to recruit, retain and develop the best sporting talent to succeed. This will be supported by enhanced support services and the recruitment of top quality coaches.
The strategy will also further enhance the participation of students, and the wider college community, in all types of activity, at the level of their choosing. The plans will provide new, innovative and exciting opportunities for students to take part, volunteer, develop skills and fundamentally transform their student experience. Sport is positioned as an essential co-curricular activity and the strategy will optimise the connection between academic achievement and involvement in meaningful sporting programmes.
Michelle Tanner, Head of Sport, said she was looking forward to the full implementation of the Strategy: “Trinity Sport is at an exciting juncture, this strategy provides the road map which will raise the profile of Trinity Sport and the University. I am proud to lead the team which will bring the vision to life. We are ready to ‘Raise our Game’!”
* From left to right in first image, are students Nick McCarthy, 5th year Engineering, Captain of DUFC and Rugby Sports Scholarship recipient. David Butler, 4th year Engineering with Management, Captain of DUBC. Member of the crew who won the Senior 8’s National Championship in 2015, as well as the Colours Race against UCD. Sarah McCaffrey, 3rd year TSM French & Psychology, Dublin Ladies Senior Inter County Footballer, won 2 U21 All Ireland titles and back to back Leinster senior championships with Dublin. Sports Scholarship recipient. Sarah Fitzpatrick, 2nd year Pharmacy, former National Junior Cross Country Champion, represented Ireland at the European Junior Cross Country Championships in 2013 and 2014. Sports Scholarship recipient. Rachel O’Brien, 2nd year BESS, Vice Captain of the Leinster U21 Hockey team and has previously played in the Euro Hockey Club Champions Trophy. Sports Scholarship Recipient. Manus Brady, 2nd year Engineering. Member of Trinity Basketball Club. Peter Wilson, 2nd year BESS. Member of Trinity Tennis Club. Philip Cripwell, 2nd year General Engineering. Member of Trinity Fencing Club.