News - story archive
news
story archive
Xcelsports
Sports Students win €60,000 Mallin InVent Award
2 December 2002
This year's DCU Mallin-Invent Award ceremony took place on Tuesday 26 November 2002. Daragh Sheridan and Neil Coleman, graduates of the degree in Sports Science and Health, were presented with the award by The Tanaiste, Ms Mary Harney, td. The prize fund consists of €10,000 as well as a variety of financial advice services and support (listed below).
Xcelsports featured in online news and the national papers earlier this year for their REAP programme. This programme is designed for young football players who return from the UK and find themselves ill-equipped for life and careers outside professional soccer. The programme includes a mix of sport science education, career guidance and IT training. The company offers a range of sports orientated programmes such as 'Cúl', a camp aimed at the young Irish-American market interested in football, 'Little Kickers Soccer Academy', aimed at boys and girls aged 6-15 and sport science support to elite and junior level sports teams and athletes in Ireland.
Speaking at the presentation, the Tanaiste said, "Much of Ireland 's growth in the past has been as a result of inward investment, however as we now look to the future, the growth of our indigenous sector is critical to our long term success. High level knowledge based enterprises that draw on the skills and education of our university graduates have the capacity to create sustainable jobs and retained profits in this country."
The prize fund:
- €10,000 cash from Liavan Mallin
- Car from Finglas Motors
- Laptop and printer from Dell Ireland
+ 12 months:
- Free accommodation in InVent
- Audit, accounts set-up advice from KPMG
- Legal advice from A&L Goodbody
- Tax advice from David Clancy & Associates
- Marketing strategy advice from Quaestus
- Presentation skills from Drury Communications
- Design from Baseline Creative Services
- Business development and marketing/communications support
from DCU