For many third-level students, balancing the demands of academics, extracurricular activities, and oftentimes a part-time job, can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and a thankless task. But what’s often overlooked is the added pressure faced by those who also compete at the highest level in university sport. These student-athletes not only strive for academic success but also commit themselves to the rigorous demands of top-tier athletic performance.
To shed light on the unique challenges, and rewards, of this dual role, Trinity News sports writers spoke with several Trinity sports team captains to hear, in their own words, what it truly means to be a captain.
Few students on Trinity campus encapsulate what it means to be a leader quite like final-year Economics and French student Lee Pearson. One of the youngest intercounty football captains in history, Lee leads both the Offaly Senior Football team and the Trinity GAA team, on top of his academic commitments. He lives at home in Offaly, making the hour-and-a-half journey by car before hopping on the Luas. His routine and responsibilities mean he can usually only make it into college three or four days a week.
Training with Offaly at least twice a week, it is not easy to keep up with college. “I’ve managed it well myself”, Lee told Trinity News. Yet it is sometimes impossible to keep everything up – with Offaly training on a Friday night, a 4-6pm lecture “was instantly a no-go”, and good fortune is necessary – “I’d have an exam on the Saturday, I just got so lucky that the Offaly match is on the Sunday”.
The Offaly match Lee referred to was the National Football League Division 3 final, where he was influential in a two-point win over Kildare. He added this to a league-final win with Trinity this season.
Captaining one’s county to league success the same week their dissertation is due is not a common student experience, yet Lee is excelling in his career and his studies. His balancing act this semester is not over – Offaly’s Leinster campaign begins just a week before exams. But Lee is a prime example of the amazing impact of the GAA around the country. His dedication and grá are present all around Trinity sports and deserve the attention of the student body.
Another one of Trinity Sport’s unsung heroes is Sarah Jane Smith, a third year environmental engineering student who captains the Trinity Squash team.
Speaking to Trinity News, Sarah Jane highlighted the club’s recent “Women in Sports Week” event that the club held in order to highlight and attract female athletes. The event, which was hosted at the Squash courts on campus, consisted of both a Squash taster event and exhibition matches.
“The taster session gave women who had never played Squash before the chance to step on court, try the sport in a fun and welcoming setting, and see how quickly they could improve,” said Smith. “By the end, many of them were already rallying and playing points!”
Events such as this have contributed to the growth of female participation in the Squash Team here on Trinity’s campus. This increase of female players as a result of this female centric club model has raised the gender divide within the club to nearly fifty-fifty, with the club being 48% women and 52% men. Beyond the gender divide in the club, the leadership in the club has also been largely female over the past 3 years. Sarah Jane recalled that over her 3 years with the club, two out of the three captains she has played under have been women.
Another female captain representing Trinity College on the national and international stage is Rebecca Ward, Women’s Track captain as part of DUHAC (Harriers & Athletics Club). Despite strong performances from the club this year, Rebecca voiced her frustrations about the support DUHAC have received from Trinity Sport.
“Unfortunately, at the moment we have no access to any private gym facilities or strength and conditioning coaching. This is something that is essential for sprinting. For example, at the moment we are not able to complete any of our power exercises in Trinity gym. This means that our athletes are having to look elsewhere to get our training in.”
Lee also expressed similar concerns about the apparent disparity in attention given to some sports clubs over others by Trinity Sport. In reference to the Trinity Sports Scholarship, he pointed out that: “There are only five of us in the GAA, but if you look at the rugby team they’re probably all on scholarships”. Indeed, there are only five GAA scholars – two footballers, and one each of hurling, camogie and handball. There are no ladies’ Gaelic football scholars.
In comparison, DU Rugby boasts 33 scholarships. Lee explained how he found it tough to advise young players to come to Trinity from a purely sporting viewpoint. Without the support of the college, it is difficult to attract the talent needed for sustained success.
Rebecca further commented: “The sports culture at Trinity is something that I think could benefit from evolving. The commitment of Trinity students to their clubs and sports deserves more recognition. The academics are just one part of the university experience”.
There’s no denying the immense dedication shown by captains like Lee, Sarah Jane, and Rebecca, who have poured their time, energy, and passion into representing Trinity on the pitch, while also working tirelessly behind the scenes to help their clubs grow, evolve and thrive. This is what it truly means to be a Trinity sports captain: selfless in commitment, generous with time, and driven by a passion for excellence both on and off the field, often, unfortunately, in the face of limited support.
On behalf of the Trinity News Sports Team, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all of this year’s Trinity sports captains. Your leadership, resilience, and all the unforgettable moments you’ve given us are deeply appreciated, not just by us, but by the entire student body who’ve had the privilege to cheer you on.
