Golf star McIlroy joins forces with Dubai
dubai — A new collaboration facilitated by the Rory Foundation between Dubai Business Internships (DBI) and Sport Changes Life Foundation, announced during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, will provide two exceptional post-graduate athletes a unique opportunity to study, do business and contribute to sports initiatives in Dubai, a press release said.
The partnership is a result of the Rory Foundation’s vision for the Irish Open as a driver of new opportunities for young people, and is supported by headline sponsor, Dubai Duty Free.
Speaking in support of the collaboration, Rory McIlroy said, “I’m delighted that my Foundation is able to support the development of young people through Sport Changes Life and the Victory Scholars programme. Young scholars have the opportunity to develop their skills while assisting community outreach programmes. It’s very exciting to see the scholars further their studies and placements into Dubai, somewhere that remains special to me as a golfer and a place that is very close to my heart.”
The two DBI Victory Scholar positions will be filled by Jessica Boal, a talented young golfer from North- ern Ireland, and Caitlin Bricketto, a tennis college-pro from the USA, both of whom have achieved undergraduate degrees from Ulster University and Manhattan College respectively while also competing in their chosen sport at an elite level. The student-athletes, who were nominated by Irish Belfastbased charity, Sport Changes Life Foundation, will join 35 graduates from some of the world’s top universities, on the 2017/2018 DBI programme.
The young graduates will spend an academic year in Dubai where they will gain an immersive academic grounding in international business, including placements with Dubai Duty Free and other Dubai entities. These placements will focus on building commercial skillsets, as well as exploring the future of sport.