Luke Hardy (IT Carlow Course Leader) and Tom Elmes (Programme Assistant) were joined by graduates Micheal Schlingermann (Sligo Rovers) and Craig Sexton (Coach, Bohemians U19s) and current students Rachel Graham (Shelbourne Ladies), Jonny Bonner (Finn Harps) and Anthony McAlavey (Waterford FC) at today's event.
These courses have taken place in conjunction between the FAI and IT Carlow since 2009 offering the three year level 7 Sports Coaching and Business Management (Soccer) (CW827) and the four year level 8 (CW858) Sports Management and Coaching.
The course covers a range of modules with a focus on player development, coach education, business and sports science. The broad nature of the course has allowed graduates to gain employment as professional footballers, coaching, performance analysis, strength and conditioning and a variety of roles in the sport and fitness industry.
A number of students have also gained full time employment with the Football Association of Ireland in a variety of departments including summer soccer schools, media and marketing, performance analysis and coach education.
Students have the opportunity to work towards the UEFA B Coaching Qualification which has seen over 60 students gain this qualification in the past four years. A number of our current students and graduates are now coaching in the League of Ireland at Senior, Under 19, Under 17 and Under 15 level with a number of students continuing with their development as coaches by progressing to the UEFA A course in recent years.
The course will be ideal for any students looking to develop as a player and a coach and will open up opportunities for careers in a wide range of potential career paths.
Early application deadline through the CAO is February 1st; late applications are accepted through the CAO until May 1st.
"We are reminding all prospective students to get their CAO applications completed in time for the February 1 deadline. They can visit the IT Carlow website for more details and get in touch with us where we can answer some of their queries," said Luke Hardy.
"A number of our graduates have gone on to work in the game at a full-time basis whether it is with the FAI or clubs including Manchester United, Reading and Leeds United. We also have numerous graduates currently playing in the SSE Airtricity League and the Continental Tyres WNL.
"These courses are not just aimed at players. We have a number of opportunities for mature students who may consider the coaching side of the game or perhaps even go down the business end of things."
For more information visit: https://www.itcarlow.ie/courses/type/undergraduate-cao-courses.htm