Nissan is hoping to include more sporting stars among the ten young individuals it will provide with a taxed and insured car for a year as part of an innovative Generation Next programme.
This is to be the second year of the scheme which last year saw five sporting representatives from Hurling, Sailing , Wake Boarding and Motor Sport among the ten drawn from all walks of life to take advantage.
The Nissan Generation Next car ambassador programme is aimed at supporting young people who have the drive and determination to become tomorrow’s leaders.
“Nissan Generation Next is all about helping the best and brightest on the road to success. It is open to anyone who is passionate, committed and working hard to achieve their goals and that includes people with the drive to succeed in sport,” explained James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland.
The Nissan Generation Next programme was created last year and one of the winners was Clare hurler Seadna Morey (21) who won an U21 All-Star award on his way to All Ireland success and was named Munster U21 Hurler of the Year. He benefitted from the use of a Nissan Juke over the past 12 months.
“Everything that I achieved in 2014 started with that car.,” said Morey launching this year’s programme.
“It has changed my life. I could be training four or five days a week, doing gym sessions and recovery sessions. The car gave me the freedom to train away myself, to work on what I needed to and it is the reason why I am doing so well myself at the moment”
The Nissan Generation Next “Class of 2014” also included Carlow sailor Finn Lynch (17) who finished first in the under 21 World and European Championships and wake-boarder David O’Caoimh (21) from Killiney who ranked fourth amongst the top wake-boarders in the world at the recent Wake Boarding World Cup in China.
Other Nissan Generation Next ambassadors from the world of sport included Danielle Murphy (30) from Saggart in Dublin who established herself as the highest ranked female drift car driver in Europe and Sean Doyle (21) from Wicklow town who is well on his way to achieving his dream of becoming a Le Mans race car driver.
Applicants for the 2015 Nissan Generation Next programme can apply online at www.nissangenerationnext.ie and will be requested to outline why they are an ideal candidate for Nissan Generation Next and how Nissan can help them to achieve their goals.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 19th May 2015. A shortlist of 20 candidates will be announced soon after and put forward to a four-week public voting phase. The seven individuals with the largest number of votes will win a place on the Nissan Generation Next programme.
Sport for Business will publish a list of those from the sporting world who have made it to that stage to encourage voting for them.
The judges at Nissan will also select three applicants whom they believe are deserving of a place on the Nissan Generation Next programme, giving applicants another opportunity to achieve their dreams.
