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20 x 20 Student Champion Profile

Name: Clodagh Walsh Course: Marketing 2 Club: CIT Athletics Levels have played at: National & International Highest achievement to date: National Indoor Senior Pole Vault Champion 2019. Ranked Number 2 on the 2018 & 2019 senior women’s Pole Vault list. Your experience of sport in CIT: Nothing but positives. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. Why did you agree to become a CIT 20 x 20 Student Champion: I remember seeing the video on facebook by the 20x20 campaign about the young girls who didn’t have any female sport role models, they were all male. Since then I’ve supported the campaign and was only delighted when asked to be part of CIT’s 20x20! Words of advice: Get involved! Even if it’s way out of your comfort zone, just do it anyway. You might surprise yourself! 20 x 20 Student Champion Profile

Name: Sandra Dinan Course: Chemical and Biopharmaceuti cal Engineering 2 Club: CIT Ladies Gaelic Football Levels have played at: Club & County U-21 Highest achievement to date: All-Ireland, Munster and County Junior club cham pions 2018, Munster title with Cork U-21 2019 Your experience of sport in CIT: I started playing football with CIT in 2018 and have enjoyed it greatly since. I find it a great way to keep fit while improv ing skills to bring back to my club. CIT football helps me to escape from studies and feel energised. I have made many friends through football with CIT and is a great way to enjoy life outside of college while doing something I love. The atmosphere in the club is so welcoming, with the perfect balance between enjoyment and hard work and I have had an amazing experience so far. Why did you agree to become a CIT 20 x 20 Student Champion: I believe it is very important to promote women playing sport. I would be lost without sport and feel every person should have an opportunity to play any sport they like. Ladies football is growing over the last few years and it is great to see more and more girls joining. I would like to promote it even further and encourage girls to take part in at least one sport as it is important for well-being and social aspects. I am privileged to be selected as a CIT 20 x 20 Student Champion as it gives me a chance to promote the club and paint an image of how enjoyable sport is. Words of advice: Even if you have never tried a sport before, it is never too late to start. CIT welcome players at all levels and love seeing more and more players join the club. It is a great way to develop many skills such as communication and team work, while improving skills and fitness simultaneously. I would encourage anyone, first or final year, to join a sports club with CIT and bring your friends along with you. It is an amazing opportunity and you never know if you will enjoy it unless you try!

Name: Mary Taylor Course of study & year in CIT: Social Care 2 Name of CIT Club: C.I.T Boxing club Levels have played at: Competed at National level Highest achievement to date: Competed at a National Level in boxing. Training for upcoming Intervarsities. Competed in several powerlifting single lifts (bench-press) competitions. Competed in dressage. Your experience of sport in CIT: The boxing club has a team spirit like no other. We treat each-other like family, giving one another immense support during the intense training. The coach Ken pushes us all to strive to be the best we can be. Without such a great team and coach behind me, I don’t think I would be the fighter I am today. The sport has given me great drive, motivation and determination to achieve. It has been a life changing experience. I also train in powerlifting and MMA. CIT has a diverse range of clubs which really has peaked my interest. These sports compliment my boxing, giving me strength and power. 20 x 20 Student Champion Profile

Why did you agree to become a CIT 20 x 20 Student Champion: I believe that women are often unrepresented and not encouraged to engage in sport. I know that women are strong and deserve a place in any sport that they desire to try. I feel very strongly about boxing, and I would like more women to take part. Words of advice: Being a woman in sport is difficult, especially in male-dominated areas. When travelling to competitions with the boxing team, I was often asked if I was just ‘a girlfriend’ or ‘there for moral support’ as opposed to an athlete there to compete. We as women, can’t allow people to put us in a box and limit us. All of us have a duty to support each-other and encourage others to do the sport they want. I hope people will see my journey in this area and be motivated to go out and try their hand in sport. Before, I was timid to try boxing. Now, I am sorry that I waited so long to join. I love the sport with all my heart.