Luke Hardy says that it will “be very tough” to leave IT Carlow after more than a decade with the institution after he was confirmed as the new education development manager with the FAI.
Hardy, who was speaking to KCLR’s Sunday Scoreline, explained how IT Carlow helps soccer players with both their academic and sporting lives.
“It was a joint initiative between IT Carlow and the FAI to allow students to pursue a career in soccer while also taking business modules if they want to look at a career in the business side of soccer,” said Hardy.
The former Peterborough United youth player also pinpointed the work that the college does in helping young players who did not make the grade in England and had to return home.
He said: “It allows players who haven’t made it in England to reintegrate into Irish soccer and gain an education.
“They can then hopefully get into the League of Ireland or the Women’s National League and then try to forge a career as a professional.”
Enjoyable
Hardy also described how college sport is thoroughly enjoyable for people who work in that line of business such as himself.
“The good thing about college sport is that there are always new quality players coming in each year which keeps it fresh,” stressed Hardy.
The IT Carlow stalwart also heaped praise on the advancements made by the college from a sporting perspective in recent years.
“IT Carlow have developed and invested in some brilliant sports facilities and that has led to some success. The hard part now is to remain at that level.”
The full interview with Luke can be found below :
