By Pat mcGarty (Head of Department of Business and Humanities at Institute of Technology Tralee)

Sport from foundation to elite levels plays a crucial role in the development of any society. In Ireland it has a special place from the smallest local community to the national and international stage when athletes bring a source of pride to followers.

Despite the fun it brings to all, most of our young elite athletes in all sports succeed despite any formal system of career and education programmes.

Customised scholarship schemes by certain third level colleges are one of the only means of assistance for athletes who see a career outside sport.Unfortunately this group is in the minority as most athletes do not see sport as having a short life span, and no room for education is ever in the minds of young athletes.