As part of the College Sports Strategy, seen by The University Times, a proposal has been developed in an attempt to better accommodate Trinity sports scholars participating at the highest levels.
One of the objectives proposed in the College sports strategy, titled “Performance”, outlines numerous actions to be taken which will “provide a structured programme and a supporting environment for individual athletes and focus teams to perform and compete successfully, at high levels.”
There are also plans to develop “focus sports”, which will benefit from College support to compete at varsity, national and international levels. However, the strategy, titled “Raising our Game”, does not explain the specifics of how these sports will be chosen or the type of support which will be provided to the selected sports.
In an email statement to The University Times, Director of Sports and co-author of the document, Michelle Tanner, did not offer any further details: “The outturn will be attractive and suitable supports for current and future student athletes and a club development model that provides a pathway for our clubs to achieve successes at a high level.”
Proposals to attract and retain high-performing athletes at Trinity College Dublin are also outlined in the strategy.
The establishment of a “schools programme” is recommended, aimed at recruiting the best secondary school athletes into Trinity. In addition, the report also states that appropriate scholarship packages will be required to out-compete other universities and colleges for these student athletes, which is why a proposal to secure funding from the university is also included.
The need to enhance the support services offered to these athletes – such as more accommodation, better healthcare and catering – is also outlined. Expanding on the requirement for better healthcare services, the authors suggest a link with the Programme for Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine, which will provide “a robust medical pathway for Sports Scholarships and Focus athletes.”
