Tim Austin to Attend Ireland Lacrosse National Team Internship in July
Paxton, Mass.— Junior midfielder Timothy Austin (Babylon, N.Y.) of the Anna Maria College men's lacrosse team has earned the opportunity to travel to Ireland for an internship program with the Ireland Lacrosse National team in the summer of 2017.
In 2016, Ireland Lacrosse created the National team intern program. Their first four interns traveled with the Men's National team to Budapest in Hungry for the European Championships. These individuals participated in the team's training camp and combined this with working and socializing with players, coaches, managers, and administrators throughout the tournament which created an exciting a unique sporting experience. Interns were also tasked with capturing photographs of the camp and tournament, promoting the team on social media and various other jobs integral to the success of the national team. There was also an opportunity for the interns to experience a day with a competing nation which enhanced their experience.
As an intern, Austin's duties will vary between assisting the National team coaching staff, scouting, working with team operations, promotion of team activities, and marketing. He will also get the opportunity to practice with the National team in their mini-camp before they begin playing in the tournament. For one day Austin will also work with a different competing nation during the tournament.
The internship process started with an e-mail that Austin sent to the CEO of Ireland Lacrosse Michael Kennedy, back in August, expressing his interest in the opportunity. "Mr. Kennedy was very helpful and put me in contact with Sean Gibson who is the Director for Indoor Lacrosse about this internship opportunity with the national team. I emailed Sean Gibson and put together my resume and cover letter and a brief fundraising plan for my application," said Austin. He then proceeded with the interviewing process and attended interviews with Gibson as well as the Assistant Coach of the National Team, Tom Howe.
In January Austin was asked to attend the United States Lacrosse Convention in Baltimore, Maryland from Jan. 20-22. Austin accepted the invitation. "While at the convention I assisted in running the Ireland Lacrosse booth, sold apparel, learned more about how Ireland Lacrosse operates, and assisted with a social event at Mick O'Shea's Pub in Baltimore after the convention closed on Saturday night," said Austin on his experience. "Overall I had an amazing experience learning about Ireland Lacrosse and meeting so many key members of the organization while in Baltimore including Sean Gibson, Mike Kennedy, Jim Hoban (Director of Ireland Lacrosse North America) and others".
At the end of January Austin received the news that he was officially accepted into the internship program in Ireland for the summer of 2017. He is now working towards meeting his fundraising goal of $7,500 to cover the costs that accompany this great opportunity.
Austin never played Lacrosse before college but after being convinced to try-out for the team as a freshman he instantly fell in love with the sport. "My teammate Dan Rinkus who lived down the hall from me freshman year talked me into playing, I instantly fell in love with the sport and I now want to get involved with helping to grow the game internationally," said Austin. "My grandfather, Christopher O'Brien, was born in Clonmel, Tipperary Ireland and played on a championship Irish Football team in Ireland before coming to the United States; I am very proud of my Irish background and would love to see Lacrosse grow and flourish in Ireland!"
If you are interested in contributing to Tim Austin's fundraising efforts, you can visit his Go fund Me page at: