Over 25,000 budding athletes to take part in 2007 KitKat Irish Schools Athletics’ Programme Nestlé Ireland, in partnership with the Irish Schools’ Athletics Association (ISAA), today announced details of the 2007 KitKat Irish Schools’ Athletics programme. This year marks the 45th consecutive year that Nestlé Ireland has sponsored Irish Schools’ Athletics making it the longest running participative sports sponsorship in Ireland. Over the past 45 years, almost one million students from over 850 secondary schools across the country have participated in KitKat Irish Schools’ Athletics including world renowned sports stars such as Sonia O’Sullivan, Catriona McKiernan, Eamon Coghlan, Ronnie Delaney, David Gillick and Denis Hickie. More recently, it has seen new emerging talents such as Derval O’Rourke and Joanne Cuddihy come up through the ranks and go on to achieve success at European and international level. Details of this year’s sponsorship, which covers the Provincial and All Ireland Cross Country and Track and Field events, were announced at an official presentation ceremony at UCD attended by national 400m champion and Olympic hopeful Joanne Cuddihy. A former star of KitKat Irish Schools Athletics, Joanne has held the senior girl’s 400m KitKat Irish Schools’ Athletics record since 2002. Sponsorship cheques were presented by Nestlé Ireland to Mr. Michael Hunt, President of the ISAA and representatives from the Leinster Schools Athletics Union and the Connacht, Munster and Ulster Schools Athletics Associations. The sponsorship funds the organisation of nationwide and regional competitions. In 2007, over 25,000 young athletes in over 850 secondary schools across Ireland will participate. Commenting at the official ceremony, Joanne Cuddihy stated that KitKat Irish Schools’ Athletics has played a key role in developing her athletics career. “Over the years, KitKat Irish Schools’ Athletics has provided an integral training ground for some of Ireland’s best known athletes and continues to nurture and develop new and promising talents. As a former KitKat Irish Schools Athletics competitor, it has played a fundamental part in my career and has provided me with a solid foundation for competing on the world stage.” Mr. Ciarán Sullivan, Managing Director, Nestlé Ireland, stated that Nestlé are proud to continue their support for the Irish Schools’ Athletics Association. “Nestlé Ireland is committed to supporting young sporting talent throughout the country. This year marks a milestone in our relationship with the ISAA as we celebrate the 45th consecutive year of our sponsorship. It is an honour to recognise the progress we have achieved together since 1963. We look forward to encouraging the development of all promising athletes in Irish schools throughout the country and wish them the very best of luck in this year’s national and international KitKat Schools’ Athletics championships.” Key highlights in the 2007 KitKat Irish Schools’ Athletics programme of events are: The KitKat Schools' All Ireland Cross Country Championships will be held on 3rd March 2007 at DCU, Dublin.
The KitKat Schools’ All Ireland Track and Field Championships will be held on 2nd June 2007, in the Tullamore Harriers Stadium.
The KitKat Tailteann Irish Inter Provincial Championship will be hosted in Tullamore Harriers Stadium on 23rd June 2007.
Irish cross country athletes will have the opportunity to compete on the international stage when the annual SIAB Schools' Cross Country International is held at DCU on 31st March 2007.
The KitKat SIAB Schools' Track and Field International will take place in Wales on 21st July 2007 where young Irish athletes will compete with their international counterparts. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: John Shields Tel: 01 8311311 ISAA Mobile: 087 263 3376
