Tralee IT and Munster Rugby Officially Launch Collaborative Partnership

IT, Tralee and Munster Rugby recently launched their collaborative partnership which will see both organisations developing a closer relationship over the next year.

Over the past number of years IT, Tralee has increased the focus on the development and promotion of rugby within the Institute. With the support of Munster Rugby a professional rugby coach/sports development officer has worked directly with students of IT, Tralee in developing skill and interest in the game. Munster Rugby and IT, Tralee have agreed to further collaboration which will include work placements for Health & Leisure students, student access to Munster Rugby Strength & Conditioning workshops as well as volunteer coaching opportunities with the West Munster Regional Development Squads and Munster Summer Camps.

Munster Senior player, Ireland u20 and World Cup star in 2012 JJ Hanrahan from Currow, Castleisland was on hand to help launch the partnership. During the event at the IT, Tralee North Campus staff and students of the Institute had the opportunity to meet the Munster star and hear more about his training, strength and conditioning and nutritional regimes when he was interviewed by Joe O'Connor, Health & Leisure Lecturer and Clare Senior Hurling Head of Fitness, Nutrition, Strength & Conditioning.

Commenting at the launch Mr Denis Griffin, Head of the Munster Rugby Youth Development Committee said “As part of Munster rugby’s long term development strategy to provide appropriate training structures and facilities for players and coaches throughout the province, the advanced facilities of IT, Tralee is a major advantage to the West Munster Region as a whole. To be in a position to train and develop skills locally is a major benefit in time management and in reducing travelling time and cost to both players and parents in travelling long distances to train.”

Dr William Evans, Academic Administration and Student Affairs Manager at the Institute of Technology, Tralee welcomed the close collaboration with Munster Rugby, looking forward to building on the relationship in the future. “In order for students to be successful in their studies, an exposure to a healthy lifestyle including the involvement in sports is paramount. Munster Rugby therefore can help increase participation in rugby at the Institute and in turn enhance health and wellbeing of our students which will directly benefit their studies. During students’ time at IT, Tralee we continually instil the same attributes that Munster Rugby display including: bravery, courage, never say die, commitment and heart. The collaboration between the Institute and Munster Rugby will assist in reinforcing a message that from hard work and commitment students can achieve the highest rewards and outcomes” he said.