GMIT launches new brand uniting sports activities across all campuses for the first time
GMIT Falcons brand warmly welcomed by students and staff at formal launch
GMIT has unveiled an exciting new identity for its sports activities across all campuses, bringing student teams and individuals together under the one sports brand, ‘GMIT Falcons’, for the first time in the history of the college.
The new brand was formally launched at a special function in the college on Friday, 14 February, when students wore the new kit and colours during a presentation by Dr Michael Hannon, Acting President of GMIT, attended by students, staff and representatives from sports organisations across the region.
Central to the new identity is the falcon bird of prey, conveying elements of agility, grace, speed and ferocity while the predominant shades of blue echo the traditional blue of the Connacht coat of arms. GMIT students and staff responded enthusiastically when the new kits, logo and colours were unveiled. Student teams have been wearing the new kit since January (2020) and it is planned to extend the range to leisure wear and other branded accessories.
The new brand forms part of an overall sports strategy which has been rolled out by GMIT over the past number of years; it has seen alliances formed with local clubs in the immediate vicinities of GMIT campuses, planning permission secured for a new multipurpose building serving sports and educational needs at the Galway campus (Dublin Road), and plans progressing for the provision of sports, recreational and educational facilities at GMIT-owned Murrough lands near the Dublin Road campus, Galway.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Michael Hannon, Acting President of GMIT, said: “I am very pleased to present to you a new identity for GMIT Sports. Nelson Mandela spoke of the power of sport uniting a country. We all know the place of sport in local communities in this country, and here in GMIT we are a community of those communities – of several thousand people from diverse backgrounds and interests.”
“Sport is often viewed as an analogy for life in general. When you read famous quotes from world renowned sports stars, you would not be surprised to see themes like motivation, effort, hard work, practice. Many speak of failure or defeat as ingredients which are just as important to reach the pinnacle. For those who participate in sport, they can especially relate to this, but the messages are equally germane to everybody.”
Dr Des Foley, Head of School of Science and Computing, said: “This new brand is part of a wider sports plan which brings together sports infrastructure and sport for all, attracting talented athletes, the continuing development of academic programmes and building partnerships through sport”.
Aaron Burke, President of the GMIT Students Union, said, “We are delighted to see the launch of this new identity which is attractive to all students not only those who represent GMIT in sports events and competitions.”
Other student leaders who spoke at the launch were Amy Wharton (Gaelic football) and Andrew Paton (Rugby).
Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of the GMIT Dept of Natural Sciences and Chair of the GMIT Healthy Campus Committee, added: “We are also keen to maximise and promote staff involvement through our Sport-for-All activities which are a significant part of our Healthy Campus philosophy.”
At the launch, GMIT had some 30 captains representing teams from across the institute.
For details on GMIT’s sports clubs and activities, visit the GMIT Clubs and Societies page on our website.
ENDS
Galway-Mayo IT, IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT are working towards becoming a Technological University for the west and northwest of Ireland
Regina Daly, GMIT Communications & Press Officer
Tel. 00 353 (0)91 742826 (office) / 0879618355 (mobile)
regina.daly@gmit.ie www.gmit.ie/news
