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Ulster Colleges Winning Captains launch BT Future Stars Academy

13th December, 2011

Ulster Colleges Winning Captains launch BT Future Stars Academy

The cream of Ulster's young hurling and football crop have been officially recognised today at the launch of the BT Future Stars Academy 2011

Fifty two Ulster Colleges winning team players were today recognised for their personal sporting achievements in both hurling and football competitions at the launch of the BT Future Stars Academy.

Created and developed by BT, in association with the University of Ulster Sports Academy and Ulster Colleges, the initiative involves a full programme of personal coaching tailored specifically to support and prepare the winning players for a successful sporting future. The one day event allows the student players to benefit from a series of specifically tailored workshops, hosted by recognised experts on sporting fitness, psychology and nutrition.

Peter Morris, Consumer Director at BT Northern Ireland said:

The BT Future Stars Academy is a fantastic new idea designed to both reward and recognise the achievements of our winning captains and players.
Through the workshops practical help, support and guidance is on offer for all the players. High performance and the creation of high performing teams is something very dear to our hearts at BT as we strive to be recognised as number one for customer service in our own business. Commitment, hard work, leadership and dedication, are the cornerstones of any team leader and I'm delighted that through our mentors we’re providing all the players with help to achieve their full potential. On behalf of BT, I would like to congratulate all 52 skilled players we are rewarding here today.

William Moore, Performance Services Co-ordinator in Sports Services at the University of Ulster, said

Focusing on the strength and conditioning of both mind and body is essential for every athlete. The winning captains and players here today have proved they have the necessary skills and ability to lead a successful team and our focus today is to help them recognise the expertise that is out there and available to each and every player to help them achieve their personal sporting ambitions.

BT has supported the GAA at grassroots level for the past 10 years, through the Ulster Colleges under-16s and the extended partnership to support the under-18 level. BT also continues to provide additional support for players by offering the 'BT Education Bursary', where each year five players, between the age of 16 and 18, are awarded a bursary based on personal demonstration of inspiration, a positive attitude, brilliant ability and generous sportsmanship. Last year's bursary winner Aidan McNeill, St Patrick's College, Bearnageeha attended the day to lend his support to the future sporting stars.