Alumni engagement and philanthropy

Sporting elite 

Irish U23 800m champion Katie Kirk, who was selected to light the flame at the 2012 London Olympic Games, and Paralympic swimming finalist Laurence McGivern, are among the inaugural group of Queen’s Elite Athletes.

Along with five other students, they will each receive individual academic support and career advice, lifestyle management, a catering and nutritional budget, expert coaching and the very best in athlete support services.

Queen’s has invested £50K in the Elite Athlete Programme (EAP), which has been designed to help Northern Ireland’s most promising sporting stars compete at the highest level in their sport, while achieving their academic goals. With entries for next year’s scheme now open, the University has also just revealed it is to expand the Programme.

The 2013 Queen’s Elite Athletes are:

  • Christopher Colvin from Armagh (Rugby) - Ulster Ravens ‘A’ Squad
  • Sammy-Jo Greer from Coleraine (Hockey) - Senior Irish Hockey Squad
  • Katie Kirk from Holywood (Athletics) - Irish U23 800m Champion
  • Lorcan Dow from London (Rugby) - Irish Exiles U18 Captain
  • Caroline O’Hanlon from Newry (GAA and Netball) – GAA All-Star and European Silver Medalist with NI Netball
  • Tiernan Oliver from Armagh (Rowing) - Irish National Champion
  • Laurence McGivern from Rostrevor (Swimming) - London Paralympic Finalist S19 100m Backstroke.

The EAP is the latest addition to a suite of over 120 sports scholarships already available to Queen’s students through its Rugby, GAA and Soccer Academies and its Ulster Bank Sports Bursary scheme.

Queen’s Sport Development Manager, Karl Oakes, said: “The Elite Athlete Programme is one of the best on offer to truly exceptional athletes who deserve to be supported in their academic and sporting careers so they can stay on course to achieve greatness in their chosen sport. We hope to play a major role in the development of these athletes throughout their time at Queen’s and long after they graduate.”

Applications are now open for current and prospective students to apply for next year’s awards. For more information visit the Elite Athletes Programme web page.

 

 

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