The sponsorship that will run from 2023 to 2026 will see McQuillan Companies sponsor the Gaelic Academy, supporting its football, hurling, camogie and handball teams, and providing a kit van for use by the Academy.
McQuillan Companies portfolio includes civil engineering, demolition, quarrying, waste, environmental and facilities management. The company also works within the educational space to provide placement and graduate opportunities to Ulster and Queens' University students.
This sponsorship will create a platform for student-athletes to excel both on and off the field, reinforcing the values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, and enabling sport as an outlet for students away from studies to invest in their wellbeing. McQuillan Companies will provide a van which will help the Gaelic Academy to deliver its Talented Athlete Entry Scheme. The vehicle will be used across visits to second level schools for engagement on the scheme, as well as for matches and training activities across the university Gaelic sports.
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Ronan McQuillan, Director at McQuillan Companies, said: "We are delighted to create this partnership with Ulster University to support their Gaelic Academy as it develops its student-athletes in their pursuit of Gaelic sports alongside their respective studies.
"As a large family business, we understand the importance of sport within education and life in general. We have members of staff who have represented the university as well as many more who have watched from the sidelines across many sports as family and friends. We see this partnership as an affirmation of our commitment to communities developing their young people, helping nurture excellence through sport and education, and supporting through sports the next generation of experts in their careers. Our company fully understands the need for sport and social activities to balance out learning, and this sponsorship with the university further reflects our shared commitment to fostering growth, leadership, and community engagement, and we are excited to see it develop and excel.
"Supporting the Academy deliver its Talented Athlete Entry Scheme through the provision of a vehicle reflects the importance of developing talent inside and outside of education, to create and support future professionals across all disciplines. The van will be used to help inform and recruit students for the next 3 academic years and will help the university bring its message to schools, as well as provide transport to games and training. It will be brilliant to see where the van gets to!"
Dr John Farrell, President of Ulster University Gaelic Academy added: "We are delighted to have McQuillan Companies on board as sponsors of the university Gaelic Academy and are delighted with the new kit sponsorship and the kit van, which will be a great help for games and transport during the Gaelic season. This 3-year partnership is important to Ulster as it provides our student-athletes with the tools and opportunities they need to compete at the highest level in Gaelic here at the University, whilst at the same time supporting their academic attainments them through their studies."
