Bank of Ireland Talent ID Programme
Bank of Ireland and Athletics Ireland have joined forces to launch a nationwide search to identify talented students with athletic potential in secondary schools nationwide. The programme, which aims to encourage greater participation amongst students in athletics, will culminate with a Master Class where the 200 top students selected will receive coaching, advice and tips from Ireland’s top sports psychologists, nutritionists and athletes including former European Indoor Championship gold medallist David Gillick.
Irish Schools Director at Athletics Ireland, Anthony White said: “Increasing participation in sport is a key driver behind the Bank of Ireland Talent ID Programme. We have focused on first years as it is a major transition in their lives and we are trying to make it easier for them to continue to be active. We are excited to be working with Bank of Ireland on this programme and we see it as a great way to introduce students to the joy of athletics and hopefully unearth the next Irish stars.”
Development Officers from Athletics Ireland will visit 20 secondary schools around the country to select approximately 1,000 students to participate. These students will undergo a matrix of specialised tests to determine untapped athletic ability with the top 10 students going on to attend the Master Class in the state-of-the-art National Sports Campus in Abbotstown in March 2017.
Speaking about the initiative, Laura Lynch, Head of Youth Marketing, Bank of Ireland said: “As the bank that supports young people both at a local and national level we are very excited to launch the Bank of Ireland Talent ID Programme in association with Athletics Ireland. Each of the 1,000 secondary school students selected to partake in this exciting programme will be given a unique opportunity to demonstrate their athletic potential in front of Ireland’s leading talent scouts. As athletics is the foundation of all sports, we believe this is a great opportunity for schools to encourage sport amongst their students and to avail of the expertise and skills available within Athletics Ireland. The Top 200 will have access to elite athletes and supports that will help nurture their natural ability and potentially even produce world class athletes who will go on to represent our country on a national stage. Bank of Ireland recognises the importance of giving young people opportunities to explore and develop their talents and we are proud to be playing a part in fostering the athletic talent of the future.”
To register your school for the Bank of Ireland Talent ID programme click HERE.