UL HPA Status Students
Irish track and field Olympian Thomas Barr pictured with some of the high performance athletes studying at UL. Almost 40 Faculty of Science and Engineering students with high-performance athlete (HPA) status have had their sporting achievements recognised at a ceremony of recognition at the University of Limerick.
Thursday, 30 March 2023

Almost 40 Faculty of Science and Engineering students with high-performance athlete (HPA) status have had their sporting achievements recognised at a ceremony of recognition at the University of Limerick yesterday.

The keynote speaker at the event was Irish track and field Olympian Thomas Barr, who completed an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in 2014 and then went on to complete an MSc in Sports Performance in the University of Limerick in 2016. Addressing the athletes Mr Barr said:

“I’m delighted to be here to recognise the high performance athletes that are studying in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Looking back over my career, I realise the benefits of taking on training full-time and studying in the University, as I will always have my mechanical engineering degree when I choose to retire from professional sport. I remember how important it was to try and strike the right balance between training and study and am glad to see you are being supported to do this through the High Performance Athlete Policy”.

The students being recognised today are drawn from 20 different programmes, and come from a variety of sporting backgrounds from track and field athletes to exponents of basketball, cycling, football, hockey, horse riding hurling, rowing, rugby, soccer, swimming, ultimate frisbee, Taekwon-Do and volleyball.

Speaking at the ceremony of recognition Professor Sean Arkins, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, complimented the students on their dedication, commitment to their education and discipline, and congratulated them on their achievement.

Obtaining HPA status within the University allows for reasonable accommodations to be made for students that have commitments associated with their sporting career outside their course of study. These accommodations mainly allow for a level of flexibility for the student should education and sporting commitments coincide.

More information on the UL High Performance Athlete Policy can be found on our website here: https://www.ul.ie/policy-hub/high-performance-athlete-policy