www.aitsport.ie
Welcome to AIT Sport Sport in AIT is at the heart of student life on campus. Getting involved in sport is a great way to keep fit, meet new people and be part of AIT life away from your academic commitments. Our aim is to provide students with the opportunity to participate in sporting and physical activities, be it purely recreational or on a more competitive level. With over 40 teams and a variety of fitness classes to choose from we have something for everyone!
Sports Facilities
Indoor • • • • • • • •
IAAF-standard 6-lane indoor athletics track with 1,000 spectator seats Fitness suite Physical therapy suite Spin training area Dressing rooms Multipurpose sports hall Sports science testing facility One wall handball wall
Outdoor • • • • • •
FIFA 2-star artificial soccer pitch Full-size grass soccer pitch Full-size sand-based grass GAA pitch Grass training pitch Olympic-standard athletics track Cross country running track
•
Coming soon • Elite gym • Wet recovery area
“The best news story in Irish athletics history” Eamonn Coghlan on AIT International Arena
Sport Scholarships
AIT has operated a sport scholarship scheme since 1996 for students who have reached, or have the potential to reach, a very high standard of performance in their chosen sport. Under the scheme we offer three levels of scholarships, • Gold €1000 + Sports Package • Silver €500 + Sports Package • Bronze Sports Package The scholarship sports package includes: free use of all sports facilities, physiotherapy, sports science, and nutritional advice. Each scholarship is awarded for a period of one year, but may be renewed for up to a maximum of four years or beyond for postgraduate students. How to Apply The application form is available on our website on the following link: www.ait.ie/sportsscholarships. The closing date for applications is the first Monday of September in the year of entry. Elite Sportsperson Entry Scheme Up to five places will be reserved each year on the BSc (Hons) in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology for outstanding candidates who have reached a very high standard of sporting achievement, through performance or coaching and who are committed to further developing their sporting and academic careers. Contact the Admissions Department for further information: admission@ait.ie
Scholarship Profiles
John Travers
Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Management in Tourism & Sport Competed at the senior outdoor and indoor European Athletics Championships A sub 4-minute miler
Garvan Broughal
Master of Business League of Ireland First Division winner with Athlone Town AFC Represented Ireland at u15/u16/ Irish Schools and CFAI National Squad
Emma Curley
MA in Child and Youth Care Galway senior footballer Lynch Cup winner with AIT
Martin Staunton
BSc (Hons) in Software Design (Game Development) Buccaneers Rugby Club Connaught u20s Two senior All Irelands with AIT
“The Elite Sportsperson entry scheme at AIT afforded me the opportunity to follow my passion and study sports science, whilst working with top class coaches in top class facilities.�
Kieran Martin BSc (Hons) in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology Westmeath senior footballer GAA Sigerson All-Star Elite athlete entry student on the Sports Science with Exercise Physiology degree
AIT Gym/ Fitness Classes
Fully equipped gym with a full range of cardio and resistance, equipment, free fitness assessments and personalised programmes. Fully qualified fitness instructors to assist you with your training needs. Opening hours for academic year: Monday-Thursday 8am-9.30pm Friday 8am-7pm Saturday 12noon-4pm Full range of fitness classes for all levels including: spin, pump and body shock. For bookings please visit: www.bookwhen.com/aitfitness
Sports Science
At AIT we can offer a full range of sports science support services for coaches and athletes. From sports specific field tests which measure players’ speed/power and aerobic capacities, to lab techniques measuring V02 and lactate profiles, AIT sports science department has a package suitable for you. After the testing session coaches/athletes receive a comprehensive report detailing the test results and get advice from our sports science department on how to develop any specific weaknesses and guide the subsequent training plan. These services which were once only available to elite athletes or squads are now readily available here in AIT. For more information or advice on how AIT sports science department can assist you or your squad please contact 090 646 8073.
Athletics
AIT is rapidly gaining a reputation as a college of choice for many of Ireland’s elite track and field performers, with a steadily growing roster of sprinters, distance runners, jumpers and throwers currently studying in Athlone while making an impact on the national athletics stage. AIT currently retains a team of highly qualified and experienced athletics coaches, which includes specialist endurance, sprints and jumps coaches, while we respect and actively support pre-existing coach-athlete relationships which are seamlessly integrated into our coaching and training structures. AIT AC also welcomes and actively encourages students who may be looking for a new challenge and are taking up athletics for the very first time. Beginners, whether exploring a newly discovered talent or simply hoping to keep fit, are very welcome and will receive the same level of encouragement and support as our elite performers.
GAA
AIT GAA was established in 1970 and over the last number of years has become one of the leading third-level institutions in Gaelic games. AIT GAA believes that active membership in a sporting club has a positive and enhancing effect on students. The various GAA teams within the institute cater for a large number of students. Their growth has mirrored the expansion of the institute as membership of the hurling, camogie, and Gaelic football clubs has steadily grown over the years. Handball and ladies’ Gaelic football clubs are also established. The clubs cater for those who wish to compete at the highest level and at a recreational level.
Soccer
AIT has four teams competing in the Colleges and Universities’ Football League (CUFL). Our senior team competes in the elite premier division, our B team competes in Division 1 and both our C and D teams compete in Division 2. All teams also compete in the CFAI Cup competitions.
AIT Women’s Soccer Club caters for players of all abilities. Our competitive team competes in the Premier Division of the Womens’ Soccer Colleges Association of Ireland (WSCAI) league and intervarsities competition, which is the highest standard at college level in Ireland.
AIT has a strong partnership with Athlone Town AFC and as part of this link we offer joint scholarships for players who are signed or have the potential to sign with Athlone Town AFC.
We also run a recreational programme for players who just want to try out a new sport, meet new people and get some physical activity in a fun environment.
AIT is one of the most successful colleges in third level rugby. Having competed in the highest division of the competition since it started, we are the current senior champions, having won this title on no fewer than nine occasions. We also have a seconds, freshers and ladies team. The freshers team was formed in 1997 and have appeared in 11 finals, winning on five occasions. Our second team won the 2013 final and lost in the final in 2014.
Rugby
We have a strategic alliance with Buccaneers RFC, although our players play for many different clubs. We have a close relationship with Connacht Rugby and AIT provides a wonderful platform for players who want to progress to AIL or provincial rugby. Players will experience coaching of the highest standard and also receive advice on strength and conditioning and nutrition to help make them the player they aspire to be. We aways welcome players who want to try rugby for the first time.
AIT has won 9 Senior All Ireland rugby titles
Sports Courses at AIT Part-Time
Full-Time •
BSc (Hons) in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology
•
Cardiac First Responce: community CFR course
•
BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy with Rehabilitation
•
Introduction to Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
•
BSc (Hons) in Health Science with Nutrition
•
Fundamentals of Sports Science
•
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Management in Tourism & Sport
•
Sports Injuries
•
Sport Nutrition
•
Bachelor of Business in Sport Management
•
Higher Certificate in Business in Sport and Recreation
•
Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Leisure Management
For further information and a full list of courses at AIT check out www.ait.ie
Sports Clubs at AIT
Handball
Soccer Hockey
Tennis
Rugby
Gaelic Football
Swimming Cycling
Volleyball
Hurling Golf Kayaking
Karate/Martial Arts
Camogie Athletics Sailing Basketball
Equestrian Futsal
Table Tennis
Sports Club Directory 2014/2015 Gordon Brett Margaret Maguire Emmet Egan
Sport and Recreation Manager
087 924 8139
Sports Department Secretary
mmaguire@ait.ie
090 646 8222
Sport and Exercise Scientist
eegan@ait.ie
086 037 4018
paulmcnamara@ athleticsireland.ie
087 269 3675
gsammon@ait.ie
086 896 3150
msweeney@ait.ie
086 795 4369
Paul McNamara
Athletics Development Officer
Garry Sammon
GAA Development Officer, Football, Hurling, Handball
Maz Sweeney
Soccer Development Officer, Basketball, Badminton, Volleyball Futsal
Charlie Couper
Rugby Development Officer
Noel Lawlor
gbrett@ait.ie
Sports Facility Coordinator and Camogie
coachcouper@hotmail.com
087 222 1764 086 361 2749
Richard O’Hara Joe Egan
Sports Department Coordinator, Kayaking, Sailing Equestrian
Dermot Sheriff
Mens’ Basketball
Craig Sheriff
Womens’ Basketball
rohara@ait.ie
087 247 4322
jegan@ait.ie
090 648 3082 085 856 6851
sheriff.dermot@gmail.com
087 684 2666
craig9showtime@yahoo.com
085 152 8068
scoughlan@ait.ie
090 644 2520
Sinead Purtill
Hockey
Denise Dolan
Swimming
ddolan@ait.ie
090 646 8129
Tennis
chigginbotham@ait.ie
086 4022490
Clem Higginbotham
Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath (090) 646 8000 www.ait.ie www.aitsport.ie @AthloneIT www.facebook/athloneinstituteoftechnology www.facebook.com/AITsports www.youtube.com/AthloneIT