Your Impact
Leader Kicking provides a route for young Irish athletes to pursue higher education in the United States, complimenting the Irish American Partnership’s goal of investing in Ireland’s future.
Leader Kicking is a non-profit that facilitates entrance to higher education in the United States for young Irish athletes through pathways created and supported by Tadhg Leader, a former rugby union player and gridiron football placekicker. According to him, these athletes’ natural exposure to rugby, soccer, and Gaelic football positions them to excel as punters and kickers in American collegiate football and take advantage of the thrilling extracurricular and athletic opportunities that come with receiving scholarships to American universities.
When we began to discuss potential partners to join us on this journey, we wanted to find those who have synergy with Leader Kicking’s core values, and in the Irish American Partnership, we couldn’t have found a better partner.
– Tadhg Leader, Founder
Beyond offering one-of-a-kind and thrilling sports prospects, Leader Kicking dramatically decreases the expenses of higher education in the United States. By joining Leader Kicking, athletes gain access to new athletic experiences in American football, as well as potential scholarships that make prestigious American universities more affordable.
Leader Kicking highlights how the cost of third-level education in the Republic of Ireland is high–with the average lifetime cost of attending a 4-year college at €63,166 for rented housing and €30,544 for living at home (according to statistics from Zurich.ie).
The organization’s scholarships include free accommodation, food, and tuition in addition to access to elite sports facilities that rival those used by professional athletes. The typical value of this entire scholarship over four years is $250,000. Finding talented young people the best scholarship opportunities is Leader Kicking’s goal – and we at the Partnership are proud to contribute.
We are committed to supporting young people across Ireland on their educational journey, investing in Ireland’s future as we have done for almost 40 years…When I met with Tadhg earlier this year, it was clear to me that both our organizations exist to provide life-changing opportunities for the youth of Ireland, with a focus on education, and we are both immensely proud of our Irish heritage.
– Irish American Partnership President and Chief Executive, Mary Sugrue
The various aspects of kicking and punting, coaching and advancement, strength and conditioning, lifestyle, sports psychology, and—above all—advice for the American educational system are covered in Leader Kicking’s immersive program.
In the first program, three athletes completed an exciting trip to the east and west coasts of the United States. Ross Bolger (below) from County Laois, Noah Byrne from Dublin, and Ronan Patterson from County Cavan visited the athletic departments of several universities, including Idaho State University, the University of Connecticut, the University of California – Davis, Boston College, Monmouth University, the University at Albany, and the University of Massachusetts.
After receiving multiple offers, Ross Bolger has embarked on a two-year scholarship from the Division 1 college football program at Idaho State. Ronan Patterson has also been offered a Division 1 scholarship, while Noah Byrne is still a youth prospect.
“Tadhg, and Ross, Noah and Ronan – we are inspired by your vision, and celebrate your successes with you. The Irish American Partnership is proud to partner and support Leader Kicking,” concluded Sugrue.