Sport and Recreation
Sport and Recreation
The institute is one of the leading third-level institutions in the provision of sport and recreation programmes and services to students. Different interests and all levels of ability are catered for to ensure maximum participation. Our recreational programme facilitates all students who may wish to participate in activities at all levels whether as a casual player, a committed competitor, a beginner or an elite performer.
The institute’s facilities include playing pitches and a multipurpose centre which contains a basketball court, four badminton courts, two volleyball courts, futsal (indoor soccer) and a state-of-the-art fitness suite. Our fitness suite is fully equipped with the most up-to-date equipment available, including 24 aerobic work stations, a variety of machine weights and Olympic-standard free weights. Specialised fitness programmes can be devised to suit your needs by our dedicated staff. Fitness tests are free for all new members and can be organised by calling and booking a time most suitable to your lecture time table. The benefit of using the fitness suite is that it is open all day and you can train at those times that suit you best. Our staff can also devise a programme for you to undertake in the comfort of your home. The fitness suite staff also organise aerobics, tone & stretch and hips, bums and tums classes.
The outdoor facilities include a full size GAA pitch, full size FIFA-approved 2 star international standard all-weather soccer pitch (floodlit) and two additional grass training areas (both of these are floodlit). An eight-lane IAAF approved synthetic athletics track is a recent addition to the sporting facilities at AIT. Sand-based and floodlit GAA and rugby pitches will be developed for use by 2010.
Students also avail of various other local facilities. The Athlone Regional Sports Centre comprises a 25m swimming pool, sauna and steam room, jacuzzi, fitness gym, créche, café, FIFA size astro-turf pitch and a small sports hall. We also avail of the facilities of many local sports clubs for soccer and GAA in particular. Our golf society has developed a golf excellence programme in association with Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club. AIT competes in ICGA Intervarsity League and ISSA Inter-college Championship, and was the first institute competing in the university league.
At AIT, we believe that active membership in a sporting club has a positive and enhancing effect on students, affording you opportunities to represent the institute nationally, and in some instances to represent the institute and Ireland in overseas competitions. Inter-college competitions are open to institutes of technology, universities and colleges of higher education, and are organised on a league and/or championship basis. We have been highly successful in these events. Internal competitions for staff and students add an extra dimension to institute life. The indoor and outdoor facilities are excellent and a well-established coaching/team management system is in place, implemented by full-time physical education and recreation officers, with the assistance of part-time coaching staff and the students’ sports representative.
Registered students at the institute find that if they wish to develop and pursue their interest in sport and recreation, AIT will facilitate that goal. However, if one’s preference is not to compete but to participate, the sports and recreational programme is structured to meet those requirements. A familiarisation day is held at the beginning of each academic year to outline the available activities and facilities. The institute looks forward to providing a comprehensive sports and recreational outlet to all our incoming students which will add an exciting dimension to institute life.
For students who have reached, or have the potential to meet a very high standard of performance, in their chosen sport, AIT's sports scholarship scheme is a valuable support mechanism in promoting excellence. Scholarships are potentially worth up to €4,800 over four years.
