WGPA presents 23 third-level Scholarships

The Women’s Gaelic Players Association (WGPA) presented its third-level scholarships on Tuesday at Druids Glen Hotel, Wicklow. A total of 23 scholarships have been awarded to third-level students across multiple colleges who play intercounty Camogie and Ladies Football. This is the second year of scholarships presented by the WGPA, which now represents over 1,100 members.

The scholarship scheme encourages members to “Go Higher” in all aspects of their life, enabling them to focus their attention on taking opportunities for ongoing personal and professional development whilst striving for excellence as athletes. With the workload and commitment given to studies and their sport, it can be difficult for students to support themselves, so the aim of this programme is to help players balance the demands of being a student and an athlete.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students both feature among the recipients from 16 counties, including Dublin’s Carla Rowe, Wexford star Una Leacy, Sarah Carey of Limerick and Galway attacking ace Olivia Divilly. Dual players also supported include Clare’s Ailish Considine and Laura Marie Maher of Laois.

Speaking at the launch, WGPA Chair Aoife Lane paid tribute to the exceptional effort made by the scholarship recipients and all third-level athletes. 'Our student members are a priority group for us; they are our future and will lead the way for our games going forward. It is important that we support their ambition to be committed and successful in their academic and sporting pursuits. Our message to student athletes in particular is to Go Higher, and to take every opportunity they can to develop as athletes and as learners.'

Also launched on the day was the inaugural joint Colleges All-Star Awards, a collaboration between the higher education colleges of Ladies Football and Camogie , supported by the WGPA. There are up to 2,500 college athletes playing in over 40 colleges in Ireland and 15 players from Ladies Football and Camogie will receive the highest college sporting accolade; a Colleges All-Star at a special ceremony in Dublin to be announced soon. The heads of the two third-level associations, Maureen King (Chair, Ladies HEC) and Stephen Hoary (President, CCAO) were in attendance to introduce the new Colleges All-Star Awards and support the WGPA Scholarships.