77 scholarships awarded to players in GPA’s Energise Sport Student Ambassador Programme

The Gaelic Players Association today (Thursday) awarded 77 third level scholarships to players under its new Energise Sport Student Ambassador Programme – the largest single distribution of scholarships ever granted by the GPA.Due to the overwhelming demand for scholarships and the increase in dual benefit for students over the past number of years through GPA and college assistance, this year’s GPA Energise Sport Scholarship Programme was confined to students who actively promoted the Energise Sport brand in a number of ways.

The programme was structured to encourage the GPA’s student members to promote the players’ principle sponsor on campus and in their clubs. Awards up to €1,500 were granted on the basis of a demonstration of promotional activity by the student.

Christine Keohane, Senior Brand Manager, Energise Sport said, “Energise Sport is very proud of the proven and ongoing successes of this initiative to date through the partnership with the GPA.   As the only leading sports drink that is 100% Irish made we are delighted to have some of the country’s most promising, talented and ambitious players actively promoting the brand.  Assisting these athletes financially as they work tirelessly to improve and rise through the ranks at their sport in Ireland is a very rewarding practice for Energise Sport to be associated with.”

The GPA, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is committed to supporting the education of its members and has distributed 260 scholarships since the inception of the scheme.
Speaking about today’s announcement, GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: “The aim of the programme is to broaden the scholarship scheme in such a way as to encourage our student members to help promote the Association’s main sponsor Energise Sport, particularly so given the economic circumstances at the moment. We’re delighted with the huge response we received to the campaign. Education is a key area of the GPA’s player welfare portfolio and we are grateful for the support of Energise Sport in assisting student players to dedicate time to their college, club and county teams.”

To view some of the promotional activity that has been carried out by various players, click on www.gaelicplayers.com
Pictures distributed today by Sportsfile.

GPA ENERGISE SPORT, STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME RECIPIENTS 2008/2009