Leinster Rugby and Institute of Technology Carlow are to continue their educational partnership, which began in 2008, supporting students in pursuing their passion for rugby and education.
The collaboration sees the delivery of high-quality Sport Coaching and Business Management (Rugby) programmes that meets the ambitions of both parties in delivering academic excellence, coach development and participation in the sport of rugby.
This programme is open to any undergraduate student with an interest in the game of rugby – coaching, managing and playing. Entrants have the option of a BA in Sport Coaching and Business Management (Rugby) which is a three-year Level 7 programme or the BA (Hons) in Sports Management & Coaching (Rugby) which is a four-year Level 8 programme.
Both courses combine rugby coaching and player development modules with sports science and a suite of business subjects. Graduates of the Level 7 programme can progress and complete Year 4 to gain an honours degree qualification. Students in Year 4 may choose to focus on sports or take business modules for their final year options.
Speaking at the launch, Leinster Rugby CEO Mick Dawson said, “This partnership has been of enormous benefit to Leinster Rugby over the years. Our ethos is ‘From The Ground Up’ and it is the men and women on the ground in the 12 counties of Leinster that have benefited hugely from this partnership.
“Naturally our players, over 75,000 of them, who deal with our staff on a day by day basis, are the ultimate winners dealing with coaches and officers with a thirst for knowledge and self-improvement.
“We have seen many Leinster Rugby employees through the doors of IT Carlow and they have then brought the lessons and the principles gained through learning from some of the best in class to the schools and clubs in the province and indeed back to the professional team.”
Myles Kelly, Head of Department, Department of Sport, Media and Marketing added, “The continuing partnership between IT Carlow and Leinster Rugby providing an academic programme at Institute of Technology Carlow is welcome as it provides learners who wish to combine their passion for Rugby with an opportunity to pursue a career in the game. The business and sports science elements of the programme combined with the coaching qualifications learners obtain while on the programme allow them to have a career in the game after graduation. A number of graduates from the programme have gone on to work with Leinster Rugby and other graduates have obtained careers in rugby nationally and worldwide since the programme began in 2008”.
As part of the partnership, Leinster Rugby and IT Carlow will continue to work together to develop a high performing rugby programme and to establish IT Carlow as Leinster Rugby’s go-to centre for rugby development and excellence in the south-east region.
