Bank of Ireland Talent ID Programme 2018

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Some of Ireland’s brightest young talent converged upon the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus for the Bank of Ireland Talent ID Programme Masterclass alongside Athletics Ireland.

This is the second year of the programme which is a nationwide search to identify talented students with athletic potential in secondary schools. Development Officers from Athletics Ireland visited secondary schools around the country where approximately 1,000 students participated. These students underwent a matrix of specialised tests to determine untapped athletic ability with the top 10 students from each school invited to attend the Masterclass in the state-of-the-art National Indoor Arena at the National Sports Campus.  

The programme, which aims to encourage greater participation amongst students in athletics culminated with a Masterclass where the 200 top students selected received coaching, advice and tips from Irish International 400m athlete Brian Gregan, newly crowned National High Jump Champion Barry Pender and muti-eventer Elizabeth Morland who finished 5th at the European Junior Championships last year.  

Irish Schools Director at Athletics Ireland, Anthony White said: “We are delighted that Bank of Ireland continued their sponsorship of the Talent ID Programme this year. 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 again this year 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.”

Speaking about the initiative, Ciara McGuigan, Senior Segment Manager of Youth Banking, Bank of Ireland said: “Athletics forms the foundation of all sports and Bank of Ireland recognises the importance of giving young people opportunities to explore and develop their talents. Congratulations to all today’s participants, we are proud to be playing a part in fostering the athletic talent of the future.”

There were 5 tablets for the winners of each category: best boy, best girl, best girls school, best boys school and best mixed school.

The winners were:

Best Girl: Kate Hosey, St Attractas Community School, Sligo

Best Boy: Adam Walsh, St Attractas Community School, Sligo 

Best Girls School: Taylors Hill Dominican College, Galway 

Best Boys School: St. Josephs College Galway 

Best Mixed School: St Attractas Community School, Sligo

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