Camogie Association announces the Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries

Camogie Association announces the Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries

Seven bursaries, worth €5k per year, awarded to first year Bachelor of Education students across five institutions

The Camogie Association has today announced seven bursaries to first year students in Bachelor of Education programmes in St Mary’s University College, Belfast, Mary Immaculate College Limerick, the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education in Maynooth University, Marino Institute of Education and the Institute of Education in Dublin City University.

The bursaries are generously supported by Carmel Naughton and were launched by Minister Thomas Byrne at an event in Croke Park on Saturday 16 November.

Valued at €5k per year for each year of the four-year BEd Programme, the bursaries are designed to support the awardees to remain engaged with Camogie in their clubs/teams during the course of their studies to be primary teachers. They not only recognise camogie players, but mentors, referees and administrators.

The awardees are:

Speaking at the presentation, Carmel Naughton said

“Friends often say ‘Carmel, why Camogie?’ I am surprised that they don’t understand that down through the centuries, the sliotar and hurl have been such an important part of our national heritage. Yes, I do appreciate this new world of cultural diversity and how important that is for Ireland, but we must also treasure and hold fast to the traditions that make us unique in Europe and the World.”

Brian Molloy, Uachtarán of the Camogie Association added:

“The Camogie Association is absolutely delighted to partner with Carmel Naughton in this extremely generous initiative marking our 120th anniversary this year. The Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries provide student teachers with vital financial support when they are balancing their commitments to their studies with their continued involvement in the camogie community. I wish the recipients the very best with their studies and continued success on and off the Camogie pitch over the coming years. ”

Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht said:

“I want to congratulate the recipients of the Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries and wish them every success in their studies. It is terrific to see the pursuit of both sport and education supported in this way and I want to commend the Camogie Association for leading this initiative and recognise the generosity of Carmel Naughton in supporting it.”

Prof Teresa O’Doherty, President of MIE said:

“A hearty congratulation to our winners and their friends and family. We know that primary teachers play a key role in society, not just is their contribution to the academic attainment of our children, but down through the years have been bearers of tradition, of language, culture, and in particular of sport. Chuir beirt bhan mhisniúla síolta na camógaíochta; Cáit Ní Dhonnchadha agus Máire Ní Chinnéide, 120 bliain ó shin, agus táimid an-bhuíoch as a gceannródaíocht ag an am sin. They were women of immense courage and integrity whom I’m sure experienced severe criticism from conservatives at that time, who were highly critical of physical sport for women. This anniversary is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of these ladies in promoting our unique game for women.  Just as we look back 120 years, it is also important to look forward – the student teachers today receiving their scholarships will begin their careers in 2028 and will probably continue to teach to 2068. They will have the opportunity to coach and mentor thousands of children and considering that the children born today will live until 2100, it is clear that these scholarships will ensure that camogie will be a living sport for the next 120 years. None of us know what life will be like for the children of the future, but we know for certain that the skills they develop on the pitch, as part of a team, the energy and resilience built through sport, have never been more important.  Faoi mar a leag na mná cróga an bunchloch do chamógaíocht 120 bliain ó shin, cuirfidh na mná óga seo go mór le traidisiún na camógaíochta sna scoileanna agus sa phobal amach anseo. Taimid an-bhróid astu”.

Comhghairdeas libh!

Uachtarán an Cumann Camógaíochta Brian Molloy, Aideen O’Brien of MIE, Carmel Naughton and Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht	Uachtarán an Cumann Camógaíochta Brian Molloy, Shiofra Deegan of MIE, Carmel Naughton and Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht

Full details of the bursaries are available on camogie.ie