Extended Campus creates and supports collaboration
between CIT and Enterprise
to Employers and Community
Learning Case Study
CIT : School of Business
Partner: Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA)
and Munster Rugby
Engagement Type: Customised Learning Solutions
Solution: Certificate in Enterprise Potential
Off-Pitch Business Potential for Munster Rugby Players
“In delivering the
course, all parties
worked together in
terms of tapping into
the wider network of
entrepreneurs,
business support
agencies and
professionals to cater
for the needs of the
group. “
CIT, IRUPA and Munster Rugby recognised
the need to develop the skills of rugby
players outside the sport, particularly, in the
area of business. To serve this need a
‘Certificate in Enterprise Potential’ was
developed.
The Need
IRUPA and Munster Rugby aim to promote and
protect the welfare of their members by
endeavoring to safeguard their futures both on
and off the pitch. With this in mind, IRUPA
approached CIT to develop an enterprise and
business focused course.
The Solution
Dr Breda Kenny,
Programme Coordinator
CIT.
CIT’s School of Business in conjunction with
IRUPA and Munster Rugby, designed, developed
and delivered a 30 week 20 credit Special
Purpose Award entitled ‘Certificate in Enterprise
Potential’.
The aim of the course is to provide participants
with the skills to understand how an enterprise
operates and the steps involved in turning an
idea into a business opportunity. On completion
of the course, participants will be sufficiently well
informed to consider self-employment as a
career option.
The content and structure of the course was
designed specifically around the needs of the
players. The course comprised four 5 credit
modules as follows:
2013

Exploring Business Viability

Communication Practice

Management in Action

Finance and Tax for Business
The modules were delivered by CIT lecturing
staff and invited guest lectures on specialist
topics on a flexible part time basis ( 3 hours per
week) to fit with the Munster players’ rugby
training and match schedules.
Challenges
One of the main challenges was to make the
course flexible enough to work around the
players’ availability and within the scheduling
constraints of both the training and match
sessions at a provincial and a national level.
Frank O’Donovan with Munster players
Critical Success Factors
To be a success, this course needed to meet a
number of criteria. The course content needed
T: +353 (0)21 4326017
E: [email protected]
W: www.cit.ie/extendedcampus
to focus on the practical application of the
concepts in each of the modules. This practical
nature allowed participants to develop their own
individual skills and to understand their own
strengths in relation to entrepreneurship.
A key element of the course was to build up a
network of both entrepreneurs and business
support contacts for the players. Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur of the Year finalists attended a
‘Meet the Entrepreneur’ workshop.
pitch business and enterprise interests of the
Rugby community. Having successfully delivered
this course to the first cohort of players, CIT can
now look to deliver this to a new cohort as well
as developing a progression course for those that
want to build on their business and enterprise
skills.
Players also got the chance to spend time at the
Rubicon Centre to meet and mingle with the staff
and entrepreneurs based there.
In order to achieve the learning outcomes, the
quality of the lecturing staff and speakers were
important considerations in the delivery of the
course. Lecturers and speakers with expertise and
practical experience in the relevant areas were
used across the entire course.
Benefits of the Engagement
This course strengthens the existing link between
CIT and Munster Rugby by focusing on the off the
Programme Coordinator and lecturer Dr. Breda
Kenny with a selection of students on the
programme.
This collaboration aptly demonstrates the
benefits of building a customised learning
solution to suit the needs of an organisation. To
explore customised learning solutions for your
organisation or community group contact us on
021 4326017 or [email protected].
Who’s Who
CIT, School of Business
The CIT School of Business delivers courses and
research in a number of areas including accounting,
information systems, management and marketing.
The School of Business is a constituent school of the
Faculty of Business and Humanities. The School of
Business consists of the following Departments:

Accounting and Information Systems

Management and Marketing

Continuing Education
and Heineken Cup competitions.
responsible for the development of
and age grade game in the province.
profit sporting organisation with
generated being reinvested in rugby.
It is also
the amateur
It is a not for
all income
Munster Rugby, Musgrave Park,
Ballyphehane, Cork
T: 021 4323564
www.munsterrugby.ie
Head of School: Gerard O'Donovan
IRUPA
T:+353-(0)21-4335480
IRUPA is a non profit making organisation owned
by the players for the players. IRUPA aims to promote and protect the welfare of our members by
endeavouring to safeguard their futures both on
and off the pitch.
E: [email protected]
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is a rugby union organisation, that
competes professionally in the RaboDirect PRO12
T: +353 (0)21 4326017
E: [email protected]
W: www.cit.ie/extendedcampus
2013
Telephone: 01 6769680
Website: www.irupa.ie
“This course was
fantastic for building
contacts, and meeting
business owners was a
real insight. The
information and
speakers on pensions,
investments and
franchising was
really beneficial.”
Donnacha Ryan,
Munster Rugby