Camogie Association announces the Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries

The Camogie Association has announced seven bursaries to first year students in Bachelor of Education programmes in St Mary’s University College, Belfast, Mary Immaculate College Limerick, the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education in Maynooth University, Marino Institute of Education and the Institute of Education in Dublin City University.

The recipient from DCU was Sophie Cotter, who plays for Naomh Mearnóg, in Portmarnock, Co. Dublin.

The bursaries are generously supported by Carmel Naughton and were launched by Minister Thomas Byrne at an event in Croke Park on Saturday, 16 November.

Valued at €5k per year for each year of the four-year BEd Programme, the bursaries are designed to support the awardees to remain engaged with Camogie in their clubs/teams during the course of their studies to be primary teachers. They not only recognise camogie players, but mentors, referees and administrators.

Speaking about her bursary, Sophie Cotter said:

I am thrilled to receive the Camogie 120 Year Teacher Education Bursary. Camogie has been a significant part of my life, and with the generous support from the Naughtons, I can continue my camogie journey while pursuing my degree and inspire future generations. It is an honour to be associated with the Naughton Foundation. 

Speaking at the presentation, Carmel Naughton said:

Friends often say ‘Carmel, why Camogie?’ I am surprised that they don’t understand that down through the centuries, the sliotar and hurl have been such an important part of our national heritage. Yes, I do appreciate this new world of cultural diversity and how important that is for Ireland, but we must also treasure and hold fast to the traditions that make us unique in Europe and the World.

Brian Molloy, Uachtarán of the Camogie Association added:

The Camogie Association is absolutely delighted to partner with Carmel Naughton in this extremely generous initiative marking our 120th anniversary this year. The Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries provide student teachers with vital financial support when they are balancing their commitments to their studies with their continued involvement in the camogie community. I wish the recipients the very best with their studies and continued success on and off the Camogie pitch over the coming years. 

Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht said:

I want to congratulate the recipients of the Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries and wish them every success in their studies. It is terrific to see the pursuit of both sport and education supported in this way and I want to commend the Camogie Association for leading this initiative and recognise the generosity of Carmel Naughton in supporting it.

James Galvin, Director of DCU Sport said:

This is a timely and very welcome initiative that creates opportunities for students to reach their full potential, both academically and on the Camogie field. On behalf of DCU, I would like to thank Carmel Naughton for her generosity and applaud her support for both teacher education and women’s sport in Higher Education.

Full list of bursary awardees 

Full details of the bursaries are available on camogie.ie.