The internationally accredited DCU MBA is hugely successful in preparing students for the challenges of business leadership.

The scholarship will provide the successful candidate with the chance to participate in the MBA two-year part-time programme, widely recognised as the degree of choice for rising executives with ambitions to become leaders in their respective employment.

Applicants for the scholarship must fulfil the standard entry requirements for the course and the successful applicant will be chosen through a selection process administered by DCU and the GPA. Applications are now invited and the closing date is July 31 2010.

Players who are interested in applying for this scholarship must normally possess a primary degree at second class honours level or higher or an equivalent professional qualification. They must also have at least three years relevant managerial experience.

The DCU MBA programme is aimed at established and mid-career business professionals and technical and engineering specialists who want to make the transition to senior management positions. Participants are typically drawn from a variety of industry sectors, including financial services, manufacturing and technology, as well as the public and not-for-profit sectors.

This year's DCU MBA scholarship will form part of the GPA's expanding education portfolio under the new Player Development Programme and is an initial step in GPA and DCU plans for a long-term educational partnership.

Speaking about the new DCU/GPA initiative, GPA CEO Dessie Farrell said: "Thanks to the support and generosity of Dublin City University, we are in a position to offer a player a wonderful chance to enhance their career prospects in a serious way. Speaking from experience, the MBA at DCU can help transform your life and we are delighted a player will get to enjoy the benefits of the programme. The GPA is committed to helping players to tend to their careers off the field and the DCU MBA Scholarship is a huge addition to our portfolio."

The Executive Dean of DCU Business School, Professor Bernard Pierce, commented: "The development of leadership and teamworking skills is as important in business today as it is in high performance sport.  DCU has shown strong commitment to providing top quality educational opportunities for those involved in sport and DCU Business School is delighted to be associated with the GPA in this important initiative."

For further information regarding the GPA, Dublin City University MBA player award or details regarding the application process contact:

Bernadette McCulloch, DCUBS Centre for Executive Programmes, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. (t) 01-7008915, (e) bernadette.mcculloch@dcu.ie
Or
Seán Potts, Gaelic Players Association, (e) press@gaelicplayers.com, (t) 01-8575686, (m) 0863971859.