Limerick Football Club

www.limerickfc.ie

Limerick FC in conjunction with the University of Limerick is delighted to announce details of the first ever recipients of the Limerick FC Talented Football Scheme (LTFS). This high profile bursary has been awarded to four amateur association football players (male and female) to support their sporting and educational development for the 2010/11 academic year. Limerick FC and the University of Limerick wish to acknowledge the support of Galtee Fuels Ltd for their assistance in providing these bursaries a gesture which is part of their on-going commitment to supporting education through sport initiatives throughout the county.

First Team Awards for the 2010/11 academic year were presented to Nigel Stanley and David McGrath while Cian Doyle and Philip Lavin received A Championship Awards. The LTFS is aimed at young talented amateur soccer players (male and female) who currently attend, or who expect to take up a place in the future at the University of Limerick.

Speaking at the launch, Pat O'Sullivan Chairman Limerick FC and owner Galtee Fuels Ltd, said: “One of the biggest challenges that will prevent young footballers achieving their goals is the inability to mix their need for education with the demands that are placed on elite sports people. The importance of education for our young sportspeople cannot be understated and we believe that the Limerick FC Talented Footballer Scheme is the ideal vehicle through which we can better support the educational and football development of young players. I would like to congratulate all the recipients and I am sure the scheme will be of great assistance to furthering their education and footballing future.”

Martin Hayes, University of Limerick, welcomed the award of the inaugural Limerick FC Talented Footballer Scheme bursaries saying: “It is always a challenge for athletes to successfully combine their studies with their desire for on field excellence during their time at University. Initiatives such as the Limerick FC Talented Footballer Scheme help our brightest young students to shine both on and off the pitch. I would like to commend Pat O'Sullivan for his foresight in supporting such an initiative and look forward to the success that this terrific scheme will undoubtedly bring both this set of recipients and future recipients.”

Applications for the next series of bursaries will be taken in May/June 2011. If you are a talented footballer (male or female), aged 17-25 and studying at UL or intending to study at UL you should express your interest in receiving a bursary by writing to the Secretary of Limerick FC at Knockalisheen House, Knockalisheen, Meelick, Co Clare. Full details of the Limerick FC Talented Footballer Scheme can be found on www.limerickfc.ie.

Martin Hayes (President, UL Soccer Club), Nigel Stanley, David McGrath, Pat O'Sullivan (Chairman, Limerick FC),
Cian Doyle, Philip Lavin, Michael O'Sullivan (Secretary, Limerick FC)

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NOTE:

To qualify for LTFS a candidate must satisfy all the following criteria:

1. Be a student in good standing at The University of Limerick or have demonstrated a clear intention to study at the University by having completed a formal application to the University or selected a UL course on their CAO application form.
2. Participating in association football at an appropriate level and be signed with Limerick FC or be eligible to sign for Limerick FC at the next available Registration Window. Signing with Limerick FC does not guarantee a player access to the LTFS fund. It is a condition of receipt of a bursary that if a player signs for another club during the lifetime of the bursary or fails to meet educational requirements of UL, or signs professional form the funds must be repaid in full.
3. It is expected that successful applicants will become active members of the University of Limerick Football Club. It is anticipated that successful candidates will compete at senior level for the University in their intervarsity championship events. This is subject to the approval of the Limerick FC first team manager.
4. Able to demonstrate that you are performing at an International or National competition standard (League of Ireland) in Association Football or have been in a National training squad, recommended by a current Limerick FC coach or recommended by a suitably qualified FAI coach or Regional Development Officer (RDO).