Team Geared Up

Yes it is ridiculous, unless you play, GAA, Rugby, Soccer or an Olympic sport it’s very unlikely that you’ll get any money from DCU.

You would think that as a college that tries to sell itself on how pro-sports and extra-curricular activities that DCU would be eager to show their support. If this gets a decent response in the comments etc. it could be interesting to see what happens if the relevant people in DCU see it.

Hi Stephen. Isn’t it just incredible? He’s a world champion FFS!! in a sport that is supported by other colleges (his brother’s).

Yeah, it is. It really is a pity how hard it is for someone to get by unless they do one of the sports recognised by the Irish Sports Council in this country.

Don’t get me started on this. With both myself and Steve coming from climbing backgrounds……

It’s a pity, there’s some brilliant people in this country and getting sod all help (see above example as an obvious one), one or two climbers who could possibly do well in international comps if given the support/help, and who knows what other sports there is - they’re just the obvious ones I can think of.
Steve nailed part of the reason: GAA, Rugby, etc. get it all and there’s just not much motivation for the rest of the groups. Having said that, it’s also down to the head groups to plug for funding (MCI, IMRA, etc.) so possibly partly them also? But yeah, DCU (Where I studied myself) don’t do them selves justice.
Speaking of which, any support for you on any of your international runs Aisling? Sounds like you deserve a bit!

We get very well looked after at international runs at Association level. Just like maybe these paddlers do too, but they don’t seem to be looked after at national level.

Sports funding in Ireland is a joke. Politcal cowardice ensures that funding goes mostly to sports that need it the least. Dogs and horses are extemely well funded. Golf clubs get amazing amounts of cash (We know how badly they need the money after all). The latest example of the political stupidy is the grants funding to GAA players, which is ensuring that there will be no increase in funding for olympic athletes in olympic year. Genius.

I could be writing for hours about this… so many examples of underfunded world class athletes.

The only way to change this, as with most things in this country, is to start lobbying politicans and make it worth their while (Votes etc) to change the system.

The one major advantage of not getting funding is that nobody has any power over you. You can do what you like, and say what you like. So the next time any minister, or blazer, get withing firing range, or you get an opportunity to express your opinions in the press, let ‘em have it with both barrels (verbally!).

Great to hear of the international funding Aisling.