Trinity Sport announces new scholars for 2016-2017

Posted on: 14 December 2016

From athletics to handball, eventing to taekwondo, Trinity Sport, supported by Bank of Ireland, has just announced 66 new scholars for 2016/2017, spanning 20 different sporting codes.

Among those on the high-performance pathway are Ellen Ince, a two-time European champion as well as a two-time world champion in taekwondo; Áine Haberlin, Aisling Reynolds and Michelle Peel, all senior inter-county Gaelic football players; Commonwealth Games athlete Victoria Mullin; fencer Philip Cripwell, ranked number one in Ireland in both junior and senior foil discipline for the 2015–16 season; and Irish U20 rugby players Colm Hogan and Jack Kelly.

Twenty-eight of Trinity’s rugby players were also recognised for their outstanding performances, which this year saw the first team elevated to the premier AIL division.

Matthew Dossett, Deputy Head of Sport and Recreation, commented: “We are delighted to see such a strong and diverse complement of athletes as part of the programme for 2016/17. Our team has worked very hard over the summer to continue enhancing college's offer in attracting and supporting ambitious and high-achieving athletes who we can work with to support reaching their goals for the future.”

“As always the process was very competitive and on behalf of our Sports Development Unit I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to apply. We have a great range of new scholars coming on board to work with us this year, along with a good balance of returning athletes. There is some amazing talent throughout the programme, and I am very excited to see all those involved develop as individuals, students, and committed athletes over the coming months.”

Heather McArdle, Bank of Ireland, added: “Sport is an essential part of mental and psychological well-being while developing life-enriching skills. These scholarships open a high-performance pathway in developing ambassadors and future leaders. We at Bank of Ireland are honoured to support our scholars in their chosen sport while continuing with their education. I would like to congratulate all scholars on this magnificent achievement and wish them all continued success.”

Specialised strength and conditioning training, a dedicated medical care pathway, and financial support are just some of the benefits on offer to student athletes on the sports scholarship programme, which was expanded this year.

Many of this year’s candidates have already amassed a long list of achievements and now with the support of a Trinity Sport scholarship behind them these athletes will be enabled to progress even further on the national and international stage.

• An event to celebrate this year’s scholars will be held in the Dining Hall on January 19.