SHANNON Swimming & Leisure Centre has become Ireland’s first community-owned High Performance Academy, with former Olympian Sonia O’Sullivan helping with its launch.
In association with Clare Sports Partnership, the centre has established the Shannon High Performance Academy, which awards places to young sports men and women based on outstanding achievements and the strong likelihood of further accomplishments.
Ten young athletes were inducted into the Academy and these cover a diverse range of sports. Among the first 10 inductees were Clare minor hurlers Aaron Shanagher and Ben O’Gorman, international basketball player Tommy Walsh, national kickboxing champion Liam Alford and rising golf star Lisa O’Shea.
Speaking at the launch, O’Sullivan said that the establishment of the Academy will alleviate financial pressure on the families of its young members, who in turn will be better placed to build on their substantial sporting promise.
The Cobh native said: “Aspiring young sports men and women face numerous challenges as they set out to fulfil their potential, not least of which is the cost of training, dietary requirements, travelling to events and accommodation.
“The fact that the 10 qualifying local sportspersons and their families have been relieved of the cost of membership of a state-of-the-art gym, swimming pool, steam room and sauna, together with the provision of specialist advice on nutrition mentoring and other supports, will assist them greatly.”
Eavan McCarthy of Shannon Swimming & Leisure Centre explained that the main objective of the Academy is to offer its aspiring sports stars the best of coaching and nutritional advice.
She stated: “By combining sports participation without the added pressure of financing gym and pool memberships, a safety net is provided for the student.
“It is our intention to develop a sustainable programme whereby the individual is also provided with financial support and encouraged through judicious balancing of the time available to ensure that neither academic nor sporting interests are compromised.”
SHANNON ACADEMY ATHLETES
- Liam Alford (kickboxing)
- Karl Fitzmaurice (athletics)
- James Hanrahan (mountain biking)
- Sabrina McCarthy (soccer)
- Gearoid McMahon (race walking)
- Ben O’Gorman (hurling)
- Lisa O’Shea (golf)
- Joanne Potter (taekwondo)
- Aaron Shanagher (hurling)
- Tommy Walsh (basketball)
