LIMERICK has become Ireland’s home of triathlon following the launch of a strategic partnership between the University of Limerick (UL) and Triathlon Ireland.
The partnership has seen the National Triathlon Centre established at UL, which will be the home to Ireland’s most promising triathletes, offering them access to UL’s facilities, expert coaching, and advanced training programmes.
UL’s dedication to supporting student-athletes has also been recognised with a Sport Ireland Institute accreditation for student athlete support.
The National Triathlon Centre will use UL’s Olympic-sized swimming pool, a high-performance athletics track, and the campus grounds which can be used for running and cycling training.
Speaking at the launch of the National Triathlon Centre, acting UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins said that the launch highlights UL’s long-standing dedication to advancing athletic and educational excellence.
Prossor Kilcommons said the launch “marks a significant milestone for University of Limerick and Triathlon Ireland. The launch of the National Triathlon Centre at UL underscores our commitment to developing high-performance sports facilities and partnerships that benefit both our university and the broader athletic community in Ireland.”
The acting UL President added that the new centre “will not only enhance our standing in sports academia, but also provide our student athletes with the resources they need to excel. As Ireland’s sporting campus, we are proud to be at the forefront of nurturing Ireland’s future sporting talent.”
Triathlon Ireland CEO Darren Coombes said that the organisation is “thrilled to officially launch the National Triathlon Centre at University of Limerick. Having a fully staffed, student athlete focussed centre for our elite and future elite athletes is a game changer for triathlon in Ireland.”
UL student triathlete Mathys Bouquet, who won the Junior Athlete of the Year award at the Triathlon Ireland Awards this past week said that “having the National Triathlon Centre here at UL, where I’m studying, means so much to me”.
“Every day, I get to wake up and train with some of the top triathletes in Ireland, supported by the best coaches in the country. This is going to significantly advance the sport of triathlon in Ireland over the coming years.”
