Sporting Fingal F.C announced in December 2008 details of a new third Level scholarship scheme for players attached to the club in collaboration with Dublin City University (DCU) and the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB).
The initiative, which will commence for the 2009/2010 Academic year, will enable players attached to Sporting Fingal to apply for Sports Scholarships with either DCU or ITB.
Through the Scheme, which is kindly supported by the Dublin Airport Authority, Sporting Fingal F.C. will assist players who wish to develop a Third Level qualification while simultaneously pursuing a professional football career.
“I believe that this is a tremendous initiative” says Liam Buckley, Director of Football of Sporting Fingal F.C. “This compares favourably with what I have experienced in Europe and will hugely support our plans for long term player development”.
John O’Brien, Sporting Fingal F.C.’s Secretary, said: “The essence of Sporting Fingal, since its inception less than a year ago, has been as a true community-based football club. The promotion of education as part of a sporting career is a crucial element in the shaping of mature individuals and good citizenship, and Sporting Fingal’s new scholarship scheme supports that aim.”
He added: “The Club is grateful to both DCU and ITB for their wholehearted support for the scheme and we look forward to a fruitful partnership which will aid young players as they combine their sporting and educational goals”, he added.
The two Third Level Institutions involved in the Scheme are enthusiastic partners in the initiative.
“DCU has a proud tradition in supporting high performance sportspeople and is delighted to extend this through its association with Sporting Fingal” stated Martin Conry, Secretary of DCU.
ITB is equally pleased to be a partner, as Ronan Keaskin, Sports Officer of the Institute, stated: “By providing Sports Scholarships and excellent support services to gifted students we hope to encourage them to reach their full potential, both academically and in their sporting endeavours”
For its part, the FAI gave full support of the proposal through former Ireland manager and current Football Support Services manager Eoin Hand. “This is a terrific initiative” “Previously, there has been a perceived disconnect between education and football, whereas they should really be complementary. This is a very positive step in that direction” he added.
The DAA noted that it was very pleased to support this exciting new initiative “We have a long-standing policy of supporting projects that offer sporting and educational benefits for young people in our neighbouring communities,” said Vincent Wall, Director Communications, DAA. “This initiative with Sporting Fingal is very much in keeping with the DAA’s philosophy of contributing to the betterment of the economic and social life of the Fingal region”.
Notes and Guidelines for Scholarship applicants
The Sporting Fingal Scholarship Scheme, sponsored by the Dublin Airport Authority, will entail a bursary of a significant sum, per annum per person, to players attached to Sporting Fingal who avail of Third Level education. The Scheme is aimed at the following categories of candidate:
1. Students who apply to Dublin City University (DCU) and/or the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB), through the C.A.O. process.
2. Candidates who wish to avail of Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) tuition in order to enhance their eligibility for Third Level education.
3. Candidates who would like to be accepted as Mature Students, i.e. age 23 or over at time of application.
Applicants who wish to be considered under Category 1 must have included or be about to include an option for DCU and/or ITB on their C.A.O. application forms. Applicants will then be assessed under the following criteria:
a) Level of footballing achievements and honours attained to date
(Note: In order to be accepted for a High Performance Athlete place, the candidate must demonstrate their potential to compete at a high level)
b) Leaving Certificate points attained (or equivalent State exam, if the applicant resides outside the Republic of Ireland)
c) If a candidate qualifies under the above criteria, he/she will have to pass an interview with the College of choice.
Candidates who fall under Category 2 above, that is those who may believe that their Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) results fall short of what may be necessary to allow entry into a particular faculty, might be accepted, if they have been deemed eligible under criteria a) and c) above, for support to attend a PLC course in order to boost their points total.
Candidates of established High Performance status, aged 23 or above at the time of application, may be considered under Category 3 if they have already played football at a high level. (Generally speaking, such a player would have attained International representative honours).
Candidates should bear in mind that, separate from applying for a sports scholarship, they may also be eligible for an Access grant, which is aimed at students from particular backgrounds and circumstances.
Applicants should submit their letters of application, which should include the following information:
Full name
Postal address
E-mail address (if available)
Telephone contact number(s)
Date of birth
Place of birth
Whether applicant has already completed a C.A.O. form
Level of education already attained
Special Note
While, of necessity, it will be important to conform to a certain level of officialdom in processing all applications, the Scheme is not intended to present bureaucratic obstacles to prospective candidates. We will, therefore, try to simplify the process as much as possible. In this regard, while it will be the responsibility of each candidate to make the best possible application for full consideration, representatives of Sporting Fingal and, if required, the Colleges in question, will be pleased to offer assistance and advice to applicants in the preparing of applications. We will also be happy to discuss the Scheme with parents/guardians of applicants in order to ensure that candidates have fully explored all aspects of the Scheme.
Letters of application and all correspondence requesting further information, assistance and guidance should be addressed to:
John O’Brien,
Club Secretary,
Sporting Fingal,
Newtown House,
Hollybanks,
Balheary,
Swords,
Co. Dublin.
Tel: 01 8905094
Email: secretary@sportingfingal.ie.