November 2023
Lisburn based McQuillan Companies unveils 3-year partnership with Queen’s University to further advance supporting education and sport.
Leading Construction and Waste Management business, McQuillan Companies, has this week announced a sponsorship with Queen’s University in Belfast as part of its focus on developing excellence in industry, through education and sport.
The partnership aims to create a platform for student-athletes to excel both on and off the field, reinforcing the values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, and enabling sport as an outlet for students away from studies to invest in their wellbeing across rugby, soccer and hockey. The Queen's University Rugby, Hockey and Soccer clubs have a rich history of success and have produced numerous accomplished athletes over the years. The support from McQuillan Companies' will further enable the University teams to access resources required to reach even greater heights in their respective sports.
Commenting on the partnership John McQuillan, Director at McQuillan Companies, said; "We are excited to embark on this journey with Queen's Sport to support their talented student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence both on and off the pitch. The importance of sport within education is widely acknowledged, and as a large family business we see this partnership as an affirmation of our commitment to learning excellence, and as a company helping nurture and support the next generation of professionals. We have members of staff who have represented the university as well as many more who have watched from the sidelines across many sports as family and friends, so we fully understand the need for activities to balance out learning and life. Sponsoring these activities further reflects our shared commitment to fostering growth, leadership, and community engagement, and we are excited to see how this Priority Sports Associate partnership impact on the athletes, the university, and our communities."
Welcoming the partnership, Karl Oakes, Head of Sport and Physical Wellbeing from Queen's University added; "We are delighted to have McQuillan Companies on board as Priority Sports Associate Sponsors to a variety of sporting activities provided by the University. This 3-year partnership is important in providing our student-athletes with the tools and opportunities they need to compete at the highest level in sports here at the University, whilst at the same time helping them excel academically."
This sponsorship is a testament to McQuillan Companies' dedication to community involvement and its belief in the power of sports to inspire and drive positive change. By supporting these three prominent sports programmes at Queen's University, McQuillan Companies aims to contribute to the overall development and success of student-athletes in their academic and athletic pursuits.
As part of the partnership, McQuillan Companies will feature as a sponsor on all team jerseys across eight teams and on advertising hoardings on the Main Arena Pitch at Upper Malone as well as the Queen’s Soccer pitch at Upper Malone.
McQuillan Companies recently announced a 3-year partnership with Ulster University, Gaelic Academy to support students across Gaelic, and to help Ulster deliver its Talented Athlete Entry Scheme.
November 2023
Lisburn based McQuillan Companies unveils 3-year partnership with Ulster University Gaelic Academy to further advance education and sport.
Leading Construction and Waste Management business, McQuillan Companies, has this week announced a new 3-year sponsorship with Ulster University as part of its developing excellence in industry through education and sport. The sponsorship with Ulster running from 2023-2026 will see McQuillan Companies sponsor the Gaelic Academy which is this year celebrating 50 years, supporting its football, hurling, camogie and handball teams, and providing a kit van for use by the Academy over the 3 years.
Established over 125 years ago, McQuillan Companies portfolio includes civil engineering, demolition, quarrying, waste, environmental and facilities management, and works actively within the educational space to provide placement, graduate and recruitment opportunities to students coming from the local universities including Ulster and Queen’s Universities. The company is actively seeking to embed its business within university life, appreciating the importance of sport in working life and studies, and the need to find balance and wellbeing.
The 3-year sponsorship with Ulster is a further affirmation of McQuillan Companies desire to create a platform for student-athletes to excel both on and off the field, reinforcing the values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, and enabling sport as an outlet for students away from studies to invest in their wellbeing. Ulster University Gaelic Academy has a rich history of success since it was established and has produced numerous accomplished award-winning players, coaches and managers over the years across camogie, hurling, handball and football. The support from McQuillan Companies' with the provision of a van will enable the Gaelic Academy to deliver its Talented Athlete Entry Scheme, designed to assist talented young sports performers in gaining access to a quality education at Ulster University whilst attaining success at the highest levels within their chosen sport. The vehicle will be used across visits to second level schools for engagement on the scheme, as well as for matches and training activities across the university Gaelic sports.
Commenting on the partnership with Ulster University Gaelic Academy, Ronan McQuillan, Director at McQuillan Companies, said; "We are delighted to create this partnership with Ulster University to support their Gaelic Academy as it develops its student-athletes in their pursuit of Gaelic sports alongside their respective studies.
As a large family business, we understand the importance of sport within education and life in general. We have members of staff who have represented the university as well as many more who have watched from the sidelines across many sports as family and friends. We see this partnership as an affirmation of our commitment to communities developing their young people, helping nurture excellence through sport and education, and supporting through sports the next generation of experts in their careers. Our company fully understands the need for sport and social activities to balance out learning, and this sponsorship with the university further reflects our shared commitment to fostering growth, leadership, and community engagement, and we are excited to see it develop and excel."
“Supporting the Academy deliver its Talented Athlete Entry Scheme through the provision of a vehicle reflects the importance of developing talent inside and outside of education, to create and support future professionals across all disciplines. The van will be used to help inform and recruit students for the next 3 academic years and will help the university bring its message to schools, as well as provide transport to games and training. It will be brilliant to see where the van gets to!” Ronan added.
Welcoming the partnership Dr John Farrell, President of Ulster University Gaelic Academy added; "We are delighted to have McQuillan Companies on board as sponsors of the university Gaelic Academy and are delighted with the new kit sponsorship and the kit van, which will be a great help for games and transport during the Gaelic season. This 3-year partnership is important to Ulster as it provides our student-athletes with the tools and opportunities they need to compete at the highest level in Gaelic here at the University, whilst at the same time supporting their academic attainments them through their studies."
The new Gaelic Academy sponsorship is a testament to McQuillan Companies' dedication to community involvement and its belief in the power of sports to inspire and drive positive change. By supporting the prestigious Gaelic Academy programme at Ulster University, McQuillan Companies aims to contribute to the overall development and success of student-athletes in their academic and athletic pursuits.
November 2023
Live Music Now launches search for new musicians across Northern Ireland.
Are you a musician who wants to make your music even more meaningful? Do you have a passion for sharing your love of music with young and old, from children with additional needs to people living with dementia? If so, Live Music Now wants to hear from you. The charity, which works across Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, is recruiting professional musicians of all genres to add to its current pool of exceptional artists locally.
Active in Northern Ireland for over thirty years, Live Music Now is focused on creating happier, healthier communities through music, working across schools, hospitals, care homes and community centres. In the last year alone, the charity and its musicians have provided music and song to over 10,000 people undertaking over 400 music sessions locally. It now wishes to add more talent to its existing bank of talented professional musicians and has launched a recruitment campaign, applications will remain open until 8 January 2024. https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/nirecruitment2023/
Commenting on the campaign, Alice Lewis, National Director for Live Music Now, said; “We are really excited to start this recruitment process for Northern Ireland to build on our existing brilliant base of musicians, and bring new fresh talent to our many projects locally. If successful, you’ll be offered a range of rewarding and fulfilling work. You could be delivering music sessions in a special school or writing songs with a group of older people living with dementia. We pay competitive fees based on Musicians Union rates.
Whether you’re keepin’ it country or a classical quartet, a jazz duo or a trad group, we want to hear from you. We’re looking for professional performers with excellent technical musicianship and performance skills, a passion for sharing their music and collaborating with others, and a willingness to learn new skills and engage with a diverse range of people. We welcome established soloists or groups of up to five. There is no age limit, and I would warmly encourage anyone who is interested to find out more online,” Alice added.
Encouraging new talent to join, Hannah Murray, a current musician with Live Music Now, said; “I’m very proud to be a Live Music Now musician, and have had the most wonderful time working with so many people cross schools and care home settings. It has been so fulfilling to create and explore music together. Through training and performing with them I have gained a greater appreciation of the power of live music as a source of joy, comfort, healing and reflection, and as a tool to unite, connect and communicate.”
Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music and Opera at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support Live Music Now, thanks to The National Lottery Players. This recruitment search is a terrific opportunity for talented musicians in Northern Ireland to join an organisation who use music as a tool to reach people of all abilities and backgrounds, enriching their lives for the better. We know that the arts bring people and communities closer together and improves our mental health and wellbeing, and by joining the work of Live Music Now musicians can make a truly positive difference to the lives of many.”
Live Music Now is fully committed to the development of all its musicians, and the new recruitment provides an opportunity to join a wealth of talent and enjoy a hugely rewarding career path for the right artists. Successful musicians will be fully supported to develop the necessary skills, through training, mentoring or accessing a network of peers across the UK.
The deadline for submissions is 8 January 2024, and candidates who are successful in shortlisting will be invited to a recruitment workshop on Tuesday 30 January in Belfast or Thursday 1 February in Derry / Londonderry. The workshops will be a friendly interactive experience, facilitated by Live Music Now trainer Gary Day.
To apply or for further information and examples of current case studies, visit https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk/nirecruitment2023/. If you require any further advice or support, or information in a different format, contact jack.fearn@livemusicnow.org.uk